DNREC approves treatment capacity increase at Artesian plant
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has approved a permit for Artesian that will increase treatment capacity at its Sussex Regional Reclamation Facility outside Milton.
In reviewing the applicable statutes and regulations, as well as weighing public benefits of this project against potential detriments, the department’s experts have concluded the pending applications comply with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, said DNREC Secretary Gregory Patterson in his Feb. 16 approval order.
The approved upgrades will increase treatment capacity to 1.875 million gallons per day for wastewater received from Artesian’s wastewater service territories in Sussex County.
Specifically, the proposed upgrades involve four modified treatment systems, cloth media filtration systems, UV systems, a second effluent pump station, and associated piping, aeration and electrical improvements. The treated wastewater would be pumped to the existing 90-million-gallon treated effluent storage lagoon.
Artesian also applied for a renewal of their current operations permit that includes an amendment to authorize operation of the Phase 3 wastewater treatment system upgrades once constructed.
No comments were received from the public concerning the pending applications during both the pre- and post-hearing phases of this permitting matter, said Patterson. The proposed upgrades do not include any changes to the disposal capacity, and any future increases in disposal would be included in a separate application, he said.
The approved project is Phase 3 of improvements at Artesian’s facility, which is located off Route 30, about a mile north of the intersection with Route 16.
Approval for Phase 1 of the project occurred in January 2021 and authorized Artesian to receive treated poultry processing wastewater from the Allen Harim Foods Harbeson Processing Facility’s wastewater treatment system for storage in a 90-million-gallon lagoon prior to discharge via spray irrigation for final disposal.
Approval for Phase 2 of the project occurred in April 2024 and authorized the construction of a wastewater treatment system designed to treat up to 625,000 gallons per day of municipal wastewater received from Artesian’s wastewater service territories in Sussex County. Phase 2 approval also allowed for an amendment to Artesian’s operations permit to authorize the operation of the systems and equipment installed during the Phase 2 construction project.
Chris Flood has been working for the Cape Gazette since early 2014. He currently covers Rehoboth Beach and Henlopen Acres, but has also covered Dewey Beach and the state government. He covers environmental stories, business stories and random stories on subjects he finds interesting, and he also writes a column called Choppin’ Wood that runs every other week. He’s a graduate of the University of Maine and the Landing School of Boat Building & Design.
