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Hampstead advances PFAS treatment: $19.5M Board of Public Works request, intent-to-award letters issued
Summary
Town staff told the council the town seeks $19.5 million in state/EPA funding for a PFAS centralization and water-treatment project, has issued intent-to-award letters for pipeline construction and inspection services, and expects to begin some construction this summer pending MDE and BPW approvals.
Town of Hampstead staff told the Mayor and Council that the town is advancing a multi-contract water-treatment and centralization project to address PFAS and that $19.5 million in state and EPA funding was scheduled for Board of Public Works consideration the day after the council meeting.
Jim (town staff) said the town applied earlier in the year for an additional $8,150,000 to help finance the project and that, to move the pipeline portion forward, staff had issued intent-to-award letters to a construction contractor and an inspection firm. "Once we have Board of Public Works approval tomorrow, along with signed contracts with both firms and all paperwork done, we'll issue notices to proceed," Jim said.
Why this matters: The project is the town's principal capital undertaking and will involve multiple contracts, bonding, and state approvals. Officials said Hampstead is farther along toward construction than most Maryland municipalities facing similar PFAS compliance work.
Project funding and contracts - Board of Public Works funding request: $19,500,000 (staff reported the amount is tied to EPA and MDE funding streams). - Additional financing request: $8,150,000 (application submitted in January; preliminary notice expected later in the month, as described by staff). - Contracts: The town has six contracts in the overall program; council previously approved three. Outstanding procurements include two construction contracts for water treatment plants and one construction-inspection contract. Staff reported they had received bids for the inspection services and expected to forward a recommendation to council next month. - Bonding and engineering: The town bonded $3,000,000 for engineering work; the mayor and staff also referenced a $3,000,000 PFAS engineering bond with a 20-year term and earlier water-line bonds with longer schedules.
Regulatory and schedule notes: Staff emphasized ongoing MDE approvals as gating items. Jim said the pipeline section to be installed runs along Shiloh Road from the Panther intersection to the bypass underpass and that the town hopes to complete that section before local schools reopen in the fall. He also said the town hoped to begin construction in July if approvals and contracts are finalized.
Town officials framed Hampstead as advanced in the statewide schedule for PFAS work: "The more I hear and talk to other people, we are well ahead of the game," Jim said, noting other municipalities remain largely in planning stages.
Decisions and next steps: Staff said they had sent intent-to-award letters and would issue notices to proceed after Board of Public Works approval and contract execution. Council did not vote on contract awards at the meeting; the hearing and the council's budget adoption were the formal actions recorded.
Ending: Town staff said they would return to council next month with recommendations on inspector selection and asked residents to monitor the town website for updates on construction timing and road impacts.
