The Maryland Board of Public Works approved more than $29 million in grants to reduce pollution and improve water quality by upgrading wastewater treatment plants and septic systems, improving sewer systems, and restoring stream banks. The Board is composed of Governor Martin O’Malley, Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp, and Comptroller Peter Franchot.
“These projects significantly reduce nutrient pollution, improve our waterways and infrastructure, protect public health, and create jobs for our families,” said Governor O’Malley. “Together, we can ensure that our Bay remains vibrant and healthy for our children and theirs.”
Grants from the Bay Restoration Fund totaling as much as $8,943,000 will provide funding for counties to upgrade on-site sewage disposal (septic) systems to significantly reduce the discharge of nitrogen, the most serious pollutant in the Chesapeake Bay. Counties will focus on upgrading septic systems located within the Critical Area. The typical septic system does not remove nitrogen, instead delivering about 30 pounds of nitrogen per year to the groundwater. An upgraded, nitrogen-removing septic system cuts a system’s nitrogen load in half. Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Dorchester, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard, Kent, Montgomery, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, St. Mary’s, Talbot, Washington, Wicomico, and Worcester counties will benefit from the grants.
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