Grand Award for Enhanced Nutrient Removal Upgrades at Back River

Green banner with DPW logo and text "Department of Public Works Press Release"

Baltimore's Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) Project Upgrades at the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant received the prestigious Grand Award from the Anerican Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC). The award was presented to the Department of Public Works' contractor on the project, Whitman, Requardt and Associates, LLP, at the 2019 Engineering Excellence Awards (EEA) held May 7 at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington  D.C. The EEA is known as the "Academy Awards of the Engineering Industry".

This year marked the 50th anniversary of these awards, and also set a record for the most entrants - 196! Of these there were 16 Grand Award winners, including the ENR recognition.

One of the worlds's largest applications of denitrification technology has substantially lowered levels of nitrogen and phosphorous discharged into the Chesapeake Bay. The process involves integration of the 52 specially designed denitrification filter cells - among the world's largest - into the existing Back River Water Resource Recovery Plant. Results show the technology has reduced the nitrogen and phosphrous load discharged into the Bay by nearly 2 million pounds in the first year of operation. The restoration effort provides an integrated approach to improving water quality in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

This work, coupled with the new ENR facility at the Patapsco Wastewater Treatment Plant, the Headworks Project under construction at Back River, and the massive Consent Decree wastewater infrastructure projects, will result in dramatic improvements to our streams, Harbor, and the Chesapeake over the next few years.

 

Related Stories

DPW Offices and Facilities Close for Good Friday, March 29 Trash, Recycling Pickups to Resume Saturday, March 30

Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) Acting Director Khalil Zaied reminds residents that Good Friday, March 29, 2024, is a City holiday and DPW offices and sanitation yards will be CLOSEDThere will be NO trash or recycling collections on Good Friday. Trash and recycling collections, normally scheduled for Friday, March 29, will be collected on the make-up day, Saturday, March 30.

Mayor Scott to Nominate Khalil Zaied as New Director of the Department of Public Works

Mayor Brandon M. Scott has announced his intent to nominate Khalil Zaied as the new Director of the Department of Public Works (DPW). Zaied, who most recently led the Department of Public Works in Champaign, Illinois, will join DPW on March 18, 2024. Previously, he was a nearly 20 year veteran of Baltimore City Government, serving as Deputy Mayor of Operations and Director of Transportation, among other roles.

Mayor Scott, City Agencies Highlight the Return of Weekly Recycling

On Monday, March 4, Mayor Brandon M. Scott, Department of Public Works Interim Director Richard J. Luna, Department of General Services Director Berke Attila, and Baltimore City Chief Administrative Officer Faith Leach joined city staff and community members to highlight the return of weekly, curbside recycling collections for Baltimore City residents, starting Tuesday, March 5.