Boonsboro officials plan for new wastewater treatment plant

March 08, 2005|by WANDA T. WILLIAMS

BOONSBORO - The Boonsboro Town Council on Monday approved plans to design a new $5.4 million wastewater treatment plant and public works facility.

The Maryland Department of Environment has approved the new plant, which will remove nitrogen and phosphorus from the town's wastewater, said Kevin Chambers, chairman of the Boonsboro Utilities Commission.

Reducing nitrogen and phosphorus helps preserve and protect the Chesapeake Bay, town officials said Monday night.

The town's existing wastewater treatment system isn't equipped to remove biological nutrients, preventing the town from meeting state requirements for nitrogen and phosphorus levels, Chambers said.

Plans for the new plant have been under way since 2003. Construction is to begin in April 2006 and the work is expected to be completed by July 2007.

The new plant will be on approximately 10.5 acres on Monroe Road.

Because Boonsboro discharges more than 500,000 gallons of wastewater a day, the town qualifies for state flush-tax funds, Chambers said. Flush-tax funds will account for a large portion of the $5.4 million and remaining funds will come from tapping fees paid by developers, Chambers said.

Tapping fees are collected whenever a new connection is made to the wastewater treatment system. The treatment plant will be designed to accommodate Boonsboro's growth, Chambers said.

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