ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 18, 2006) – Governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. announced today’s Board of Public Works approval of a $300,000 grant for a new public sewer system in the Keysers Ridge area of Garrett County. The Board is comprised of Governor Ehrlich, Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp and Comptroller William D. Schaefer.

The project will consist of the design and construction of a new public sewer system to replace failing on-site septic systems and an interim upgrade to a nearby wastewater treatment plant. A new 50,000-gallon per day package wastewater treatment plant will also be built at the Keysers Ridge Industrial Park that will discharge to Puzzley Run downstream of Lake Louise.

“This project will result in environmental and economic benefits for that region of the state,” said Governor Ehrlich. “By connecting failing septic systems to this new sewer network we’ll improve local water quality while providing further infrastructure for industry that may want to emerge or expand in that area.”

“This project would otherwise be unaffordable without the grant funding,” said Charles McCollum, director of Garrett County’s Department of Pubic Utilities.

Total cost of the project is over $4.6 million financed through a combination of grants from the Water Quality Infrastructure Program, a low interest loan from the State Revolving Fund, both administered by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), and more than $1.7 million from other sources including the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Design is expected to be complete in May with construction beginning this summer and running for about a year.

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