Frederick County Fined Thousands For Wastewater Flap

FREDERICK, Md. (AP) -- The Maryland Department of the Environment says Frederick County has agreed to pay a $9,600 penalty for allowing excessive levels of contaminants in wastewater released into the Potomac River in 2010 and 2011.

The Frederick News-Post reported Thursday that many of the violations stemmed from heavy rain and construction activity that churned up the soil.

Most of the violations involved excessive levels of aluminum, chlorine and solid particles.

The county's waste-management director says he doesn't believe the incidents presented a public health risk.

The plant treats water from the Potomac River for drinking. The process creates wastewater that is stored in a lagoon while contaminants settle to the bottom. Then the wastewater is returned to the river.

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