Mystic Harbour Treatment Plant Opens
On October 21, 2014, several JMT employees attended the ribbon cutting for the new Mystic Harbour Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) in Worcester County, MD. Joining the celebration were Worcester County Commissioners, as well as representatives from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development and Mystic Harbour Water and Sewer Advisory Council.
JMT evaluated the plant, its constructed wetland, and shallow well injection system for modifications to increase its capacity and improve its reliability. Our design provided for construction of a new advanced membrane bioreactor WWTP including fine screen headworks, UV system, and ancillary chemical feed systems. The project included construction of 11,250 sq. ft. of sludge drying greenhouses, and construction of a 13,850 sq. ft., process building to house the headworks, MBR process, laboratory, and electrical facilities.
The final design solution met the County’s goals of expanding capacity and improving treatment reliability through use of a Membrane Bioreactor system. The entire facility was made more community friendly by placing all treatment processes inside a new building, and by decommissioning the existing constructed wetlands, which were a source of odor and aesthetic complaints.
A Worcester County press release reads:
“The Ocean Pines WWTP has been recognized for vastly exceeding State-mandated minimums, and to such an extent that it continues to be the only WWTP in the State exempt from paying Bay Restoration Fees,” Commission President James C. “Bud” Church said. “The Mystic Harbour WWTP builds on that plant’s success, so much so that this new plant outperforms the Ocean Pines plant several times over as far as effluent quality is concerned.”
The Mystic Harbour WWTP treats wastewater to enhanced nutrient removal standards and has a capacity of 450,000 gallons per day to serve a total of 1,666 equivalent dwelling units. The new sewage treatment plant is intended to protect the Coastal Bay environment by significantly reducing nutrient discharges in the watershed and will allow us to eliminate a significant number of malfunctioning septic systems. The WWTP is sized to allow for reasonable growth and to serve infill lots within Mystic Harbour in the West Ocean City area.
“We have an obligation to protect and preserve our environment for our children and grandchildren to enjoy,” said Dr. Bill McGowan, USDA Rural Development State Director. “One way we can do that is to have environmentally-friendly facilities that are working properly. USDA Rural Development’s programs are designed to improve the quality of life and increase economic opportunity. This return of taxpayer dollars to upgrade and improve this facility is a win-win for the residents and all who come to enjoy our Coastal Bays.”
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