State Funds Project to Improve Water Quality in Liberty Reservoir

The state of Maryland will spend $760,700 to upgrade the Finksburg Industrial Park Storm Water Management Facility.

According to a news release, the new system will treat runoff from 149 acres of land and 39 untreated pavement surfaces to help protect streams and the Patapsco River which flow into the Liberty Reservoir, a major drinking water supply for millions of Baltimore-area residents.

“Clean drinking water is a fundamental and universal need and through legislation, policies and projects, Maryland is taking action to improve water quality throughout the State,” said Gov. Martin O’Malley in a statement. “Our generation’s task is to ensure that we preserve our natural resources and leave a lasting legacy of environmental stewardship.”

The funds are moving forward construction of a nearly four acre storm water retention pond and wetland near the Finksburg Industrial Park. The new water quality enhancement system will capture and filter out pollutants before they enter local steams and ultimately the Liberty Reservoir, according to a news release.

The existing storm water system was constructed in the 1970’s and according to the Governor's office, has outlived its useful life in terms of technology and water treatment. 

Carroll County, which will manage the project, is also contributing toward the $1.5 million project.

The Finksburg Industrial Park Storm Water Management Facility upgrades are funded through the Transportation Enhancement Program (TEP), which funds non-traditional, community-based transportation-related projects. This year Maryland awarded six TEP projects totaling more than $4.1 million. 

The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration oversees the federal program, which has awarded more than $206 million for 270 projects in Maryland since the TEP program began in 1991.

Information in this article was taken from a Governor's office news release.