ANNAPOLIS, MD (February 15, 2006) – Governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. announced today’s Board of Public Works approval of a $300,000 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 Town of Hurlock is very grateful for the funding by the Board of Public Works,” said Hurlock Mayor Don W. Bradley. “Officials from MDE have been very helpful working with Hurlock’s future wastewater needs to ensure cost effective improvements that will benefit business, industry and the residential community while improving water quality on the Eastern Shore.”

The total cost of the project is $7.5 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. The project has an August completion date.

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