ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 14, 2006) – Governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. today announced Board of Public Works approval of a new $400,000 grant for Havre de Grace Wastewater Treatment Plant in Harford County to upgrade and Expand Enhanced Nutrient Removal. The Board is comprised of Governor Ehrlich, Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp and Comptroller William D. Schaefer.

“Awarding communities like Havre de Grace Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) grants assure that the wastewater treatment plant will achieve critical nutrient reductions discharged into the Chesapeake Bay,” said Kendl P. Philbrick, secretary, Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). “Protecting and restoring the state’s environment and a precious natural resource such as the Bay is a top priority for this administration.”

The ENR project will expand the treatment plant’s capacity from 1.89 million gallons per day (mgd) to 2.3 mgd. The grant will be used to plan, design and construct an ENR upgrade system to achieve an effluent goal of 3 milligrams per liter of total nitrogen and total phosphorus down to .3 milligrams per liter before discharging to the upper Chesapeake Bay. Excess nutrients lead to degraded water quality, which negatively impact the ecology of the Bay and its tributaries.

The total cost of the Havre de Grace project is nearly $38.1 million, of which more than $24 million is the local share. “It was absolutely necessary that we receive this grant to make this project happen and we thank the MDE,” said Larry Parks, Director of Public Works. This is Havre de Grace’s opportunity to help in the Chesapeake Bay cleanup. It will provide for future expansion and help our community grow.”

Planning has begun on this project and construction of the upgrade is estimated for completion in October 2009.

###​