Van Hollen, Cardin Announce $38.4 Million for Water Infrastructure Projects in Maryland

U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) have announced $38.4 million in federal funding for the implementation of several key water infrastructure projects in Maryland. The funding, allocated through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), will go towards Maryland’s Intended Use Plan – a $297 million plan, approved by the EPA, which aims to upgrade wastewater treatment plants and stormwater control measures throughout the state. Earlier this year, the Senators wrote a letter urging the Congress to maintain full funding for the EPA’s CWSRF.  

“This is a huge investment in Maryland’s efforts to upgrade our water infrastructure, protect public health, and reduce costs to consumers. These funds will reduce water pollution and improve the efficiency of our water use, ultimately resulting in better service and lower costs for Marylanders. This investment will also boost our economy and create jobs along the way,” said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Appropriations and Environment and Public Works Committees. “Maryland’s success depends on modernizing our infrastructure, from our transportation networks to our sewage and water systems, and I will continue working in the Senate to secure investments for projects like these.”

“Safe, reliable water infrastructure is of the utmost importance for communities throughout Maryland. From Talbot County to Baltimore City, these investments will improve the reliability of sewer systems, prevent pollution from reaching public waters including the Chesapeake Bay, and protect against future flooding. I will continue to advocate for increased federal support for these essential public services,” said Senator Cardin, ranking member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee.

The CWSRF program provides low interest loans for the construction of wastewater treatment facilities and other projects vital to protecting and improving water quality in rivers, lakes and streams for drinking water, recreation and natural habitat. The loans help communities keep water and sewer rates more affordable while addressing local water quality problems.

Projects that are eligible to receive loans under the State’s intended use plan are:

·         $11.7 million to Talbot County for a sewer line extension project to serve more than 600 properties, including many that are currently served by failing septic systems that lead to wastewater discharges into waterways that flow into the Chesapeake Bay. This project will help prevent tens of thousands of pounds of pollution from entering the Bay.

·         $1.7 million to the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission to repair and replace sewer lines in Prince George’s County to help minimize and eliminate sewage overflows.

·         $35.9 million to Baltimore City and $50.5 million to Baltimore County for upgrades to the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant. Funding will support electrical improvements and replacement of five substations. The upgraded power capabilities will protect the plant’s treatment processes from wet weather flows, helping to ensure untreated flows go into storage tanks, rather than into local waterways.

·         $35 million to the Urban Stormwater Retrofit Program Public-Private Partnership in Prince George’s County. This project involves the planning, design and construction of multiple projects to store or treat stormwater runoff to reduce pollutants from entering local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay. Projects range from installing small rain gardens to large urban retrofit solutions, such as pond retrofits and green streets.