WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide a total $1.2 million in Rural Development funds to install a central water system a Harford County subdivision. Private wells in the Glenn Heights subdivision have been contaminated by trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene (PCE), substances that can cause liver and kidney damage and cancer.

“Contamination of this nature is serious and remediation needs to occur quickly,” said Senator Cardin, a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee. “The residents of Glenn Heights need access to unpolluted water and I am pleased that this project has the funding it needs to move forward.”

Glenn Heights is subdivision in Harford County with approximately 77 households. Groundwater contamination was first discovered by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) in August 2005. The Maryland Department of Environment has attempted to filter the contaminants, but high iron content in the water does not make this a long-term solution.

The State is expected to contribute $1 million for a total cost of $2.2 million for the project that will connect the subdivision to the existing Harford County water system. The Rural Development funding will be for a $454,000 loans and a $746,000 grant.