Milton eyes land for new well

Milton officials have settled on land the town leases from Cape Henlopen School District near H.O. Brittingham Elementary School as the future site of a new town well and treatment plant.

Milton Councilman Sam Garde said the town's land acquisition committee and water committee have been searching a well site for several years, settling on land off Mulberry Street.

Growth in town and the location of one of the town's four active wells in a flood zone prompted the need for a new site, Garde said. A recent sea level rise study found that if a severe storm such as a Category 4 hurricane traveled up the Broadkill River, two town wells and a treatment plant could be jeopardized. The town only has two treatment plants for its drinking water wells.

“The new well is considered a priority infrastructure improvement,” Garde said. 

The site is leased by the town from the Cape Henlopen School District. Council approved moving forward with planning for the well July 20, including initial design and engineering. Councilman Emory West was absent, while Garde and Councilman Michael Coté, who serve on the water and land acquisition committees, recused themselves.

Council did not discuss or approve funding for the new well. Public Works Supervisor Greg Wingo estimated a new well and treatment plant would likely cost about $400,000.

Town Manager Kristy Rogers said the town will move forward with engineering and planning, including construction design and drilling a test well. Wingo said they're still waiting for a quote for the initial planning.

Once planning is complete, council will review those findings before deciding how to fund the construction.