ANNAPOLIS – The wastewater treatment plant operated by the city of Frederick, MD, has exceeded the limits for its annual phosphorus discharge for the fourth time in the last five years.
The nutrients phosphorus and nitrogen are major pollutants to the Chesapeake Bay and the streams and rivers that feed it. As with excess nitrogen, excess phosphorus in waterways can lead to an overabundance of algae that deprives the water of oxygen, killing or driving away organisms that depend on it.
The Maryland Department of the Environment’s annual phosphorus discharge limit for the treatment plant is 5,720 pounds, but the facility released almost double that — 10,827 pounds — in 2025. In a letter from March 12, the department wrote that the “alleged violations are significant in nature.”
In September, the city said the excess in phosphorus could be due to poor phosphorus removal in the plant’s bioaugmentation reactors.
Jennifer Gerlock, the city’s public affairs manager, said in a recent email that it’s been challenging for the plant to keep up with the increased phosphorus in the water the plant receives. She added that the city is working with technical experts from Moonshot Missions to evaluate plant operations, expand monitoring and strengthen phosphorus removal.
“The city remains committed to taking corrective action, making informed operational improvements, and doing everything it can to protect both the community and the environment,” Gerlock said.
The department is still evaluating the extent of the penalty, but it could result in a fine up to $10,000 per day for water pollution violations.
What about the hundreds of millions of gallons of sewage that was pumped into the potomac…………..silence on that subject
This story has been developing for 5 years. This is the first I’ve heard about it. At that speed, there is plenty more time to hear more about the Potomac spill. So let’s end the “yea.. but what about” -isms and discuss what is at hand.
Sorry,“yea.. but what about” -ism!
But your 5 years, is misguided information. I’ve never followed anywhere else other than So. Md., but in the Potomac and Patuxent basins over the last 60 years, at least 3 sewage treatment facilities, 2 power plants and 2 military installations, all have had multiple ‘spills/overflows/leaks’. ‘THEY’ spend more time trying to hide them than they do trying to prevent future mess ups.
Looks like the bay is just doomed! Hundreds of Millions of gallons of sewage was recently dumped into the Potomac and now we have excessive amounts of phosphorus getting dumped as well.
The only involvement Annapolis has is to now step forward and want to impose a 10,000.00 dollar fine.
Guess that is just Wes Moore looking for another opportunity for a money grab.
Rather than actually doing something to protect our water ways.
Perhaps some fresh local seafood and a swim in these polluted waters would be a option for Wes Mooron!
Let see if he gets sick from the seafood or gets a flesh eating bacteria or some kind if disease from the water.
Where is Wes Moore? Oh nevermind…
Rapid overload due to growth and development in the surrounding area maybe??🤔