ANNAPOLIS, MD (February 27, 2002)– The Maryland Board of Public Works approved today a $749,000 grant increase for Harford County to continue work to upgrade and expand the existing Havre De Grace Wastewater Treatment Plant.

“Improving the quality of service to Marylanders while at the same time protecting and strengthening the State’s natural resources is a top priority,” said Governor Glendening. “Nutrient removal at the Havre De Grace Wastewater Treatment Plant is essential to the success of Maryland’s effort to achieve a 40 percent reduction in the amount of nutrients being discharged into the Chesapeake Bay.”

The project upgrade to Havre De Grace’s existing wastewater treatment plant includes the construction of a biological nutrient removal facility to improve the plant’s ability to remove nitrogen from treated water. Improvements to the existing 1.89 million-gallon-per-day plant will provide the capability of removing nitrogen to a yearly average limit of 8 milligrams-per-liter using biological treatment.

“A $3.2 million grant and loan of $3.6 million for 20 years at 2.6 percent interest plus administrative fees will enable the City to add nitrogen and phosphorous removal capability to meet new requirements for reducing nutrient in the Chesapeake Bay,” Havre De Grace Mayor David R. Craig said.

The total cost of the project is $6.7 million of which $3.6 million is the local share. MDE previously awarded the city of Havre De Grace a $2.39 million in grants for this project. Construction on the upgrade began Feb. 26 2001 and is slated for completion by Aug. 25, 2002.

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