After 15 years of construction, the Patapsco Wastewater Treatment Plant’s enhanced nutrient removal project (ENR) is now complete. The city celebrated the major milestone in improving the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay with a ribbon cutting ceremony on January 30th, 2020. The event was attended by RK&K, the DPW and state and city officials.
RK&K attended the ribbon cutting ceremony on January 30th, 2020.
RK&K designed the enhanced nutrient removal (ENR) facilities at the City of Baltimore’s 81.6 mgd Patapsco Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). The ENR facility removes nitrogen and phosphorus to the limit of technology (LOT) in accordance with the Maryland Department of the Environment’s ENR Strategy. The ENR Strategy standards are to reduce the effluent total nitrogen concentration to less than 3.0 mg/L and total phosphorus to less than 0.3 mg/L at all times. These are among the strictest nutrient removal standards in the world.
Excess nutrients and sediment are among the leading causes of the bay’s poor health. The treatment plant will reduce nitrogen and phosphorous discharge by at least 95%. A healthier bay would mean a cleaner environment for fish, plants, and other aquatic life.
The local Baltimore news covered the ribbon cutting ceremony and can be viewed here.
