ANNAPOLIS, MD (August 31, 2005) – Governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. announced today’s Board of Public Works approval of a $1 million grant to upgrade the Hurlock Wastewater Treatment Plant in Dorchester County. The Board is comprised of Governor Ehrlich, Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp and Comptroller William D. Schaefer.

“The funds approved today are an essential part of Maryland’s effort to reduce nutrients discharged to the Chesapeake Bay by 40 percent, while also improving local water quality to Wrights Branch,” said Governor Ehrlich.

The Hurlock Wastewater Treatment Plant project consists of planning, designing and constructing an upgrade to the existing 2 million gallons per day facility to enhanced nutrient removal (ENR). This will lower Nitrogen levels to 3 milligrams per liter (mg/l) and phosphorous to 0.3mg/l. Excess nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorus, lead to degraded water quality, which negatively impact the ecology of the Bay and its tributaries. Existing lagoons at the facility will be replaced with an activated sludge system and third stage filters will be added to achieve ENR level of treatment.

“The Maryland Department of the Environment [MDE] has generously provided 100 percent of the project cost,” said Hurlock Mayor Don W. Bradley. “We are grateful to MDE for making this process a simple one. The improved wastewater treatment infrastructure will greatly benefit the citizens of Hurlock and allow our town to progress through the next century and contribute to the health of the Chesapeake Bay.”

The total cost of the project is $7.3 million financed through a combination of low interest state loans and grants from the Water Quality Infrastructure Program, both administered by the Maryland Department of the Environment, and a contribution from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Design work began in June 2004, but the project has an August 2006 completion date.

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