New wastewater treatment plant improving local water quality

Since Salisbury's new Wastewater Treatment Plant was brought online, they're coming in well under the mandated minimums for nitrogen and phosphorous every month

Over the past three years, Salisbury has been working on upgrading its wastewater treatment plant, a $64 million plant that is showing the nutrient reduction levels they've been striving for. 

With the new system, the city says they're experiencing a nearly 90 percent reduction in nitrogen levels. It's sign that the water is a lot healthier than it used to be. 

"This upgrade took nutrients out of what we're putting into the Wicomico River and it significantly reduced the amount of nutrients so that's helping the Bay and the Bay health," explains Amanda Pollack, Director for Salisbury's Dept. of Infrastructure and Development. 

The phosphorous levels in the water are also down nearly 50 percent.