ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 3, 2006) – Governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. today announced Board of Public Works approval of two grants totaling $400,000 to upgrade the Perryville Wastewater Treatment Facility in Cecil County. A $200,000 grant will come from the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund and another $200,000 will cover biological nutrient removal expenses. The Board is comprised of Governor Ehrlich, Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp and Comptroller William D. Schaefer.

“Maryland continues to be the leader in restoring the health of the Chesapeake Bay,” said Governor Ehrlich. “Across Maryland, we are eliminating millions of pounds of pollution annually from the Bay. This administration is committed to preserving our great national treasure. Projects like this one in Perryville will have a lasting impact on this state and the legacy we leave to future generations.”

This upgrade will help the plant fulfill an annual effluent concentration goal of 3 milligrams per liter (mg/l) for nitrogen and 0.3 mg/l for phosphorous, before discharging to the lower Susquehanna River that flows to the Bay. Excess nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorus, lead to degraded water quality, which negatively impact the ecology of the Bay and its tributaries.

The project involves the planning, design and construction of biological and enhanced nutrient removal facilities at the 1.65 million gallons per day treatment plant.

In addition to today’s grants, an anticipated low interest state loan of $8 million to the city from the state revolving fund, administered by the Maryland Department of the Environment, with other future state grants will finance the roughly $13.2 million project.

“This project will reduce effluent ammonia concentrations and protect recreational waters that are used for swimming, boating and fishing including Furnace Bay, Mill Creek and the Susquehanna Flats,” said Perryville Town Administrator Denise Breder. “As a result of this project, the plant will be able to meet future pollutant discharge limits and total maximum daily load requirements for the watershed. Therefore the town is in full support of this worthy and necessary project, and thanks the state for its support.”

Construction is not expected to begin until May 2007 with the project’s completion date expected in November 2008.

###​