Announcement

State flush fee exemption results in continued savings for Ocean Pines service area

Friday, February 7, 2025

(Feb. 7, 2025) The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) has exempted residents in the Ocean Pines Sanitary Service Area (SSA) from paying the $5.00 monthly charge to the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund (BRF) for the upcoming year. This exemption will result in an annual savings of $60 per household in the Ocean Pines SSA.

“This exemption is due to the exemplary work done by our staff,” Public Works Director Dallas Baker said. “It’s the Public Works professionals maintaining meticulous reporting methods coupled with the knowledge and experience of our Water and Wastewater operators overseeing the Ocean Pines Wastewater Treatment Plant that make this exemption a reality year after year for those residing in the Ocean Pines SSA.”

Commonly referred to as the Flush Fee, the BRF is a dedicated fund financed by residents and businesses served by wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) throughout the State of Maryland. BRF funds are used to upgrade publicly owned WWTPs throughout Maryland, with enhanced nutrient removal (ENR) technology to reduce nutrient discharges to the state’s waterways.

The Ocean Pines WWTP is equipped with ENR technology that meets the criteria for the fee exemption, which requires a maximum effluent concentration of 3 milligrams per liter (mg/l) of total nitrogen and 0.3 mg/l total phosphorous.

“The Ocean Pines WWTP sets the standard throughout the state for environmental stewardship,” Baker said. “For 2024 the Ocean Pines WWTP maintained a yearly flow at 299.5MM gallons, with an average concentration of 2.4 parts per million (PPM) total nitrogen and 0.2 PPM.”

BRF exemptions are valid for one year and must be renewed annually, and WCPW professionals maintain meticulous reporting standards to secure the exemptions annually for those residing in the Ocean Pines SSA.

Announcement

State flush fee exemption results in continued savings for Ocean Pines service area

Member Login