WASHINGTON –
U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today joined with
Congressman Chris Van Hollen (MD-8) in praising final congressional passage of $750,000 in funding for the City of Rockville’s sewer rehabilitation project.
  The funding was included in the bill that funds most federal environmental programs for 2010.
  The bill, the Interior-Environment Appropriations Conference Report, also includes a Continuing Resolution to fund much of the rest of the federal government through December 18.
  The bill now goes to the President for his signature.

“Rockville has an aging water infrastructure and it is critical that we provide the resources that are needed to upgrade and maintain its sewer system,” said
Senator Cardin, chairman of the Water and Wildlife Subcommittee of the Environment and Public Works Committee.
  “By improving Rockville’s sewage system, we will be taking some of the pressure off the Blue Plains Treatment Plant, which is the largest single source of excess nitrogen into the Chesapeake Bay.”

“Today’s passage of the Interior-Environment Appropriations Conference Report means key investments in protecting the environment, conservation, climate change research, and other priorities,” said
Congressman Van Hollen. “I am particularity pleased that it includes $750,000 for the Rockville Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project.  This money will allow the city to make critical repairs in its sewer system, and decrease sewage flow and subsequent run-off into the Chesapeake Bay.”

The Rockville sewer system project will include rehabilitation of manholes, sewer lining, and inflow prevention.
  It will repair the pipes and manholes to reduce infiltration and inflow and to ultimately reduce flow to the Blue Plains Wastewater Treatment Plant.