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One third of Maryland’s 66 largest wastewater treatment plans have been rebuilt, redesigned or put under construction as a result of the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Act, introduced and signed into law in 2004 by Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.
Most recently, the Board of Public Works approved three Restoration Act grants to upgrade the two largest wastewater treatment plants in Maryland (Patapsco and Back River in Baltimore City) and the Brunswick facility in Frederick County. Once upgraded, these three facilities will reduce nitrogen pollution in the Bay by more than four million pounds per year.
“My Administration is fully committed to protecting the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland’s greatest economic and environmental treasure, which each year contributes an estimated $1.2 trillion to our vigorous economy,” explained Governor Ehrlich. “By funding upgrades for Maryland’s wastewater treatment plants, the State is reducing the amount of nutrients being discharged in the Bay. These projects have a lasting impact on this state and the legacy we leave to future generations.”
The Most Important Pollution-reducing State Initiative in 20 Years
The Bay Restoration Act aims to remove nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater treatment plant effluent to state-of-the-art levels by financing upgrades to the State’s 66 largest treatment plants. Upgrades will be financed by a monthly user fee paid by public sewer service customers and an annual user fee paid by septic customers. When all of the state’s major wastewater plants are upgraded, the impact will be a 7.5 million pound annual reduction in nitrogen and a 260,000-pound annual reduction in phosphorus. Excess nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorus, lead to degraded water quality, which negatively impact the ecology of the Bay and its tributaries.
“The Bay Restoration Act is a national model and generating significant interest around the country,” said Maryland Department of Environment Secretary Kendl P. Philbrick. “No one can doubt the invaluable role the Bay plays in this state. Every Marylander has a vital interest in this irreplaceable waterway, which is a multi-billion dollar cultural, recreational and economic engine. Preserving and restoring the Chesapeake is a mission possible that we must never overlook.”
The Back River and Patapsco Plant Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrades alone will reduce 4 million pounds of nitrogen. The Brunswick Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrades will eliminate more than 16,000 pounds of nitrogen. The enhancements planned for these facilities will benefit the citizens of Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Frederick and Howard counties by limiting the nutrients that negatively impact water quality.
Board of Public Works Approved:
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$5 million Bay Restoration Act grant to the City of Baltimore’s Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant for the evaluation of the nutrient removal capabilities and performance of the existing Back Water Wastewater Treatment Plant
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$10 million Bay Restoration Act grant and $3.6 million Biological Nutrient Removal Fund grant for the City of Baltimore’s Patapsco Waste Treatment Plant that will be used for the design phase to Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) technology
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$8.26 million Bay Restoration Act grant for the City of Brunswick to upgrade its wastewater treatment plant in Frederick County
For more information visit MDE's Bay Restoration Fund website.
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