Wastewater Division

The Department of Water Works Wastewater Division is responsible for operating and maintaining the City’s wastewater treatment facility, and 47 remote pump stations. The wastewater facility operates under a National Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by the Maryland Department of the Environment. Treated effluent is discharged into the Wicomico River.

There is a dedicated team of 36 professionals who operate and maintain the facility and pump stations. Staff are trained and certified by the Maryland Department of the Environment.  The Wastewater Treatment Plant staff also administer an industrial pretreatment program under mandate by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. There are presently six significant industrial facilities in the City that have discharges regulated by the City. In addition, pretreatment staff monitor other minor dischargers including restaurants, auto repair shops, laundries and car washes to check on maintenance of grease and oil separators.

The Wastewater Treatment Plant was initially constructed in 1955 and has undergone several upgrades and expansions due to population growth and increasing environmental regulation. Most recently, the facility was upgraded to an ENR rated facility (Enhanced Nitrogen Removal). At the completion of the $54 million project, the plant was rerated to 8.5 million gallons per day of capacity and is capable of removing over 1,283,000 pounds of nitrogen and 150,000 pounds of phosphorus nutrients annually to help restore the health of the Wicomico River and Chesapeake Bay. The plant now also utilizes ultraviolet light to disinfect the effluent, instead of chlorine, to protect downstream shell fisheries.

Today, Wastewater Treatment Plant staff perform regular monitoring and testing of the plant discharge, including bacteriological, metals and organics to assure the discharge quality and maintain compliance with State and Federal regulations.