Mount St. Mary’s University’s request for federal funding for the project, Mount St. Mary's Quality Drinking Water Project, was approved when the Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Funding Bill was passed by Congress and signed by President Trump last week. $1 million of funds will be allotted to Mount St. Mary’s to construct a water treatment plant that will provide safer water for the Mount campus, Frederick Health Urgent Care, and the Town of Emmitsburg.
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks, both D-MD, worked together to secure this funding, along with the inclusion of investments for additional local and rural projects in the bill. U.S. Representative April McClain Delaney, D-MD, also championed the project’s inclusion in the minibus. The Mount's funding comes thanks to the efforts of Grants Manager Nicole Patterson, who wrote the application, secured community letters of support, and coordinated with the offices of the senators and congresswoman.
“Our communities should be able to trust that the water coming out of their taps is clean and safe. That’s why we fought to secure $1,000,000 in direct federal funding for this much-needed water treatment plant—tensure that both Mount St. Mary’s and the Town of Emmitsburg have reliable, high-quality drinking water for years to come,” said Senator Van Hollen.
"I was proud to partner with Senator Van Hollen to secure $1 million for Mount St. Mary's University water treatment plant. As Maryland's senator, I will do whatever is needed to ensure every person in our state has access to clean, safe drinking water. The Mount St. Mary's University water treatment plant will provide safer water not just for its students but also for the Town of Emmitsburg," said Senator Alsobrooks.
“When I first took office, I traveled far and wide across Maryland’s 6th District, meeting with community leaders and advocates to identify local projects that could make the greatest impact on our communities with federal dollars,” said Rep. McClain Delaney. “I’m proud to announce that seven of those projects have been signed into law, and I am eager to see firsthand how these funds will make life easier and safer for our families.”