BALTIMORE—The Maryland Board of Public Works approved $7,474,000 in funding at two separate meetings in May for clean water projects in Calvert and St. Mary's counties. The Board is composed of Governor Martin O’Malley, Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp and Comptroller Peter Franchot.
The following projects were approved:
Chesapeake Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant Enhanced Nutrient Removal Upgrade and Expansion project – Calvert County
A $7,080,000 Bay Restoration Fund grant to the Town of Chesapeake Beach will help fund the Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) Upgrade and Expansion project at the 1.18 million gallons per day Chesapeake Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant. The project also includes expanding plant capacity to 1.5 million gallons per day. After the upgrades, the facility will reduce its nitrogen discharge by 62.5 percent and its phosphorus discharge by 85 percent, significantly reducing the amount of nutrients discharged to the Chesapeake Bay. Excessive amounts of nutrients such as nitrogen lead to lowered levels of oxygen needed to support aquatic life in waterways, including the Chesapeake Bay. Enhanced Nutrient Removal upgrades of the state’s major wastewater treatment plants are a critical component of Maryland’s Phase II Watershed Implementation Plan.
Shangri-La Drive/South Essex Drive Sewer Rehabilitation project – St. Mary’s County
A $394,000 Water Quality State Revolving Loan Fund loan to the St. Mary’s County Metropolitan Commission will help fund the Shangri-La Drive/South Essex Drive Sewer Rehabilitation project. The project entails the design and rehabilitation of a portion of the sewer system in the Lexington Park area. The existing sewer system, which was built in the 1940s, has deteriorated, allowing infiltration of water in the wastewater collection system. The work includes rehabilitation and replacement of sewer mains and manholes.