ANNAPOLIS, MD (July 20, 2005) – Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. announced Board of Public Works approval today of a $313,050 grant and an additional $4.23 million from the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund for the Town of Crisfield (Somerset County) to upgrade its existing wastewater treatment plant to an enhanced nutrient removal (ENR) system. The Board is comprised of Governor Ehrlich, Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp and Comptroller William D. Schaefer.

“This upgrade will dramatically reduce the amount of nutrients being discharged into the Chesapeake Bay,” said Governor Ehrlich, “furthering our commitment to achieve nutrient reduction goals set in the Chesapeake Bay 2000 Agreement.”

Excess nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorus, lead to degraded water quality, which negatively impact the ecology of the Bay and its tributaries.

The project upgrade to Crisfield’s existing wastewater treatment plant includes the planning, design and construction of a full-scale ENR facility so it can achieve a goal of removing total nitrogen to a goal of 3 milligrams per liter (mg/l) and total phosphorus to 0.3 mg/l.

Total cost of the project is roughly $10.6 million. The state has previously given more than $2.7 million toward the upgrade with future contributions being provided from the state revolving loan fund, administered by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and others.

“The City of Crisfield is in concurrence with the importance of the ENR project,” said Crisfield Mayor Richard D. Scott. “We realize the need for the city to meet water quality requirements in order to protect the Chesapeake Bay.”

Construction is anticipated to be complete by the end of 2006.

###​