In the United States (US), the Maryland Environmental Service (MES) 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 US$100 000.
Established in 1970, the Maryland Environmental Service (MES) MES is an independent, self-supporting agency of the State of Maryland (MD) and the 25th largest business in the Baltimore area by revenue, operating over 1 000 environmental projects and services across the Mid-Atlantic region.
As a unique, not-for-profit public corporation, MES combines public sector commitment to environmental enhancement and protection with private sector flexibility and responsiveness. MES receives no direct State operations funding and does not have regulatory authority. More than two-thirds of MES’ revenues flow directly to its private sector business partners.
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.
Contracting with MES will provide the County with the ability to increase operational results while decreasing costs. 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, said Kevin Null, Garrett County Administrator.
Last year, MES treated 2.8 billion (US) gallons (≈ 10.6 billion litres) of water and 186 billion gallons (≈ 704 billion litres) of wastewater at the 85 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) 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. 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, said Roy McGrath, CEO, and Chairman of the Maryland Environmental Service.
