The Maryland Environmental Service has implemented upgrades at the Freedom District Wastewater Treatment Plant in Sykesville that allow it to more effectively filter out pollutants.

The upgrades to the nutrient removal system have been ongoing for over four years, starting in 2014 and coming to completion this past August, according to Craig Renner, managing director of communications for MES.

Since the upgrades were completed, the wastewater plant will now be able to more efficiently remove pollutants such as nitrogen and phosphorous from wastewater treated by the plant, located at 1301 Raincliffe Road near Patapsco Valley State Park.