Sussex working on community water for Ellendale
There have been questions about the quality of the water in Ellendale and the surrounding areas for many years. All the homes in the area receive their water from individual wells, and there are different readings for water quality for each well.
Nineteen wells were recently tested by the Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project in Ellendale and the surrounding area. Twelve of the wells had higher than maximum allowed amounts of contaminants. Eight of the wells tested from 2 times higher to 274 times higher for iron than the maximum level. Nitrates were also found in one well where they were 1 1/2 times the accepted level. One well tested 2 1/2 times higher than the accepted amount for alkalinity; two wells had coli bacteria and one well had E. coli.
The Ellendale Community Civic Improvement Association has been working on educating the residents in the area about the water problems for many years. Sussex County has now recognized the problem and has come up with a plan presented by Todd Lawson, county administrator. Sussex County has established a water district that includes both Ellendale and the surrounding unincorporated areas. It is roughly the same area as the current sewer district. They have contracted with Artesian Water to put in the pipelines and supply clean water to all residents in this water district.
The benefits for residents will be many. The most important one will be clean, healthy water. Another benefit will be the installation of fire hydrants to better protect homes and properties. The county's plan makes good water very affordable. The average household would pay only $400 per year including hookup costs. There are fees required to use well water that often aren’t considered. A gallon of bottled water cost 1,000 times more than a gallon of community system water. It costs about $100-$150 per year to run a private well. The cost of digging an average well would range from a low of $600 to $3,000 or more. Over a 20-year period the average household well costs $130 to $300 per year to operate. Homeowners insurance is often more expensive when insuring a property that does not have fire hydrants available.
Drinking safe water is vital to health. Household wells are not required to be tested. Community water is tested many times a day for things that can damage health or safety. Community water must meet certain standards all the time. SERCAP will be holding a free Private Well Owner Workshop to answer questions about private wells and the water they provide from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, July 27, at Philadelphia Pentecostal Holiness Church, 13724 South Old State Road, Ellendale.
It will answer the following questions: Where does the water come from? How is the well constructed? What maintenance is necessary? What should the water be tested for and how, and how often? Are there financial resources for new wells or repairs? This event is free and will answer many of these questions. There will also be an Ellendale Community Barbecue Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 12, sponsored by the ECCIA. It will be held in Ellendale Town Park.
For more information, contact Dan or Kris Acker, bchnts35@gmail.com.
