Water treatment expansion completed

ABINGDON, Md. (WMAR) - County Executive David Craig joined other local officials today to mark the official completion of the Abingdon Water Treatment Plant expansion.

The $70.3 million project was completed in May following three years of construction.

Construction of the facility commenced in January 2009 and required an extensive three phase construction process to include a new tap into Baltimore City's 108-inch raw water line, a 115-inch tunnel under I-95, upgrades to the sewer along the Bynum Run Interceptor, a new raw water screening process, the addition of two 1 million gallon emergency lagoons with pumping station, conversion of the existing 10 million gallon a day plant to conventional treatment plant and upgraded security among other new processes.

The purpose of the project was to double the water treatment capacity at the Abingdon Water Treatment Plant. The original capacity was 10 million gallons a day, now it's capacity is 20 million gallons a day.

"The Abingdon Water Treatment Plant expansion was a critical capital project to help ensure safe and reliable drinking water for the citizens of Harford County, and a key element in ensuring continued economic and growth for many years to come," County Executive Craig stated. "This project reflects our long-standing commitment of improving the infrastructure of Harford County to support residential, commercial and business growth for our county and thus maintain a strong and vibrant economy," Craig commented.