Projects in Perspective

Smith Island Clean Water Project

Somerset County | Regional Infrastructure
Smith Island Clean Water Project Google Map

PROJECT DETAILS

Construction of a new Biological Nutrient Removal/Enhanced Nutrient Removal (BNR/ENR) wastewater treatment plant in Ewell and an upgrade to the wastewater collection and conveyance system. Includes decommissioning the existing Tylerton Wastewater Treatment Plant, an overhaul of three pumping stations, and the construction of a new main to convey wastewater from Tylerton to the new plant.

  • Board of Public Works funding approved June 2019.
  • Tiber Deck completed Fall of 2020.
  • WWTP ready for bid advertisement by the end of January 2021.
  • Bidding of the subaqueous force main (SFM) is dependent upon the issuance of Tidal Wetland License.
  • October 2021: still on track

Estimated completion

Estimated completion subaqueous force main February 2022, pump stations June 2022, Ewell WWTP August 2023, post‐construction last quarter 2023
A photo of a body of water just off Somers Cove Marina in Crisfield Maryland

Features

The project would bring about the following:

Protect the economic vitality and long-term sustainability of this regional economic resource and its residents by installing facilities that include consideration of state and federal guidelines for coastal resiliency
Protect the environment and water quality of the Chesapeake Bay by reducing the levels of nitrogen and phosphorous in accordance with state and federal goals
Protect the public health against sewage overflows or spills
A photo of an Adirondack chair with a body of water behind it

Regional Impact

Smith Island has deep cultural and historical roots associated with the regional self-identity of the Lower Eastern Shore. As the last remaining off-shore inhabited island in Maryland, it is also a highly visible test case for the engineering challenges associated with building and maintaining public infrastructure in extreme low lying coastal areas. Erosion and extreme weather events increasingly threaten the tourism and commercial fishing assets of the Island’s three communities of Tylerton, Ewell and Rhodes Point.

Project Documents

pdf
Smith Island Clean Water Project – Pump Station Sites
pdf
Tylerton – Rhodes Point Subaqueous Force Main
pdf
Ewell WWTP – SICWIP1

For more information

Somerset County Economic Development Commission

Danny Thompson, Executive Director

Email
Tri-County Council Economic Development

Greg Padgham, Executive Director

Email