Agreement Marks First State-County Partnership Agreement of its Kind in Maryland
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
BALTIMORE, MD – The Maryland Environmental Service (MES) today announced that it has been awarded a contract to operate 27 water and wastewater treatment facilities on behalf of the government of Garrett County, Maryland. This first-of-its-kind partnership — State operation of county-wide water and wastewater facilities — between Garrett County and MES, will provide for the county to reduce costs, enhance compliance efficiency, increase performance, and achieve projected first-year savings of $100,000. The contract, which begins on August 5, 2019, provides for MES to run the day-to-day operations of the county’s 27 facilities.
MES has extensive experience and operations knowledge with similar facilities and systems throughout the State. Last year, MES treated 2.8 billion gallons of water and 186 billion gallons of wastewater at the 85 wastewater and 117 water facilities it currently operates for State, county, and municipal partners throughout the state. MES has an exceptional compliance rate for the facilities it is operating, including a 99.6% compliance rate for wastewater facilities.
“We are very fortunate to have the trusted partnership of Garrett County Government. By entering into this effective approach to managing its water and wastewater facilities, the County will immediately achieve greater efficiencies, including reducing operating costs, while continuing to provide the same high level of service to County residents,” said Roy McGrath, CEO and chairman of the Maryland Environmental Service. “MES’ 50 years of public sector commitment to environmental enhancement, together with our hallmark efficiency, flexibility, and responsiveness, will directly benefit the residents of beautiful Garrett County.”
“Contracting with MES will provide the County with the ability to increase operational results while decreasing costs,” said Kevin Null, Garrett County Administrator. “MES’ extensive knowledge and operations experience with similar facilities and systems — both public and private sector throughout the State — adds immediate value to our operations and for our residents.
About MES
MES was established by the General Assembly in 1970 to assist with the preservation, improvement, and management of the quality of air, land, water, and natural resources, and to promote the health and welfare of the citizens of the State. Today, MES employs over 800 teammates and operates more than 1,000 environmental projects across Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic region. As a not-for-profit business unit of the state of Maryland, MES provides multi-disciplinary environmental compliance services to enhance and protect the environment through innovative solutions to the region’s most complex environmental challenges. To learn more, visit www.menv.com
