ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 23, 2001) – Governor Parris N. Glendening today announced Board of Public Works approval of a $1 million grant for Charles County to continue with work that upgrades and expands the existing Mattawoman Wastewater Treatment Plant.
“Enhancing the quality of life for all Marylanders is a top priority,” said Governor Parris. N. Glendening. “The funding approved today will allow Charles County to improve the quality of service to its 60,000 customers while reducing the level of nutrients being released back into our precious environment.”

The project upgrade to Charles County’s existing wastewater treatment plant includes the construction of a biological nutrient removal facility to improve the plant’s ability to remove nitrogen and phosphorus from treated water.

The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) grant will assist the county in reducing the amount of nutrients being discharged into the Chesapeake Bay to meet a nutrient reduction goal of 40 percent.

Today, Charles County Administrator Eugene T. Lauer applauded MDE’s Water Quality Infrastructure Program for its administration of the grant.

“Charles County government, in cooperation with the MDE, desires to improve the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay by reducing the amount of nutrients being discharged from sewage treatment plants located on the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries,” Lauer said. “We look forward to working with MDE on this endeavor.”

The total cost of the project is $8 million of which $3.2 million is the local share. MDE previously awarded Charles County an $810,000 grant for the project. Construction on the upgrade began in November and is slated for completion by August 2004.

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