LAUREL, MD, MARCH 5, 2020 -- The Maryland Board of Public Works (BPW) has approved a $5.595 million Bay Restoration Fund Grant to help fund WSSC Water’s share of major upgrades to the Blue Plains Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) in Washington, D.C. The upgrades significantly reduce the amount of nitrogen and phosphorous, nutrients that contribute to poor water quality, from entering the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay.
“These state-of-the-art treatment upgrades underscore our commitment to protecting our beloved Chesapeake Bay,” said WSSC Water General Manager and CEO Carla A. Reid. “We thank BPW members for approving this important grant and appreciate the Maryland Department of the Environment’s ongoing support of our clean-water mission.”
The multi-phased project consists of planning, design and construction of Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) and Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) upgrades at the treatment plant. WSSC Water is responsible for funding approximately half of the project - nearly $400 million of the total $850 million. To date, the state has committed nearly $172 million in grants and nearly $100 million in low-interest loans to help cover WSSC Water’s share.
Construction on the multi-year program to upgrade the plant began in 2007 and should be completed within the next few years. On average, Blue Plains WWTP treats approximately 60 percent of wastewater flows generated by Montgomery and Prince George’s County residents.
