Help Shape the Future of Wastewater Treatment in Lewes
As you may be aware, Lewes BPW has been exploring options to develop a more resilient and sustainable infrastructure for discharging treated effluent that complies with regulatory standards. This initiative is part of our continued dedication to protecting both the environment and public health. We have encouraged public participation throughout this process and invite your feedback on the future of wastewater treatment in our community.
What’s Been Done:
We’ve evaluated various wastewater treatment options, considering their environmental impact, costs, and long-term resilience. So far, we’ve held public meetings and workshops, reviewed study findings, and explored a partnership with Rehoboth Beach and Sussex County. Due to new archaeological findings and the rejection of the partnership by Rehoboth Beach, we are now focusing on exploring alternative options with Sussex County.
Current options for Wastewater Discharge:
After careful analysis, we have narrowed down two options:
Option 1: Reconfigure Lewes BPW’s pump stations, pump wastewater to the Sussex County’s Wolfe Neck facility for treatment and continue discharging at Lewes BPW’s current location. BPW’s estimated cost: $10.5 million.
Option 2: Similar to option 1 with the difference of relocating the discharge point near the Wolfe Neck facility. Lewes BPW’s estimated cost: $3.5 million, requiring permit modification.
A new ocean outfall was considered but is not viable due to high costs.
Next Steps:
We are committed to keeping the community engaged throughout this process. Upcoming public workshops will provide further opportunities for input, and updates will be shared at future Board meetings. You can also check the Lewes BPW calendar for event details.
We encourage you to participate in these workshops and submitting your feedback. Your voice is vital to shaping the future of wastewater treatment in our community. Thank you for your time and contribution!
GHD presented to the Conceptual Evaluation Report for the wastewater treatment facility (WWTF) to the Board and was accepted on December 7, 2022. The report can be reviewed here. GHD presented the report summary to the public on Monday January 23, 2023 at 6:00pm in the Rollins Center. Public comment and feedback was welcomed at the meeting and comments were submitted online. Feedback submissions are available for review below, as well as a FAQ sheet overview.
