Lewes BPW looking to study wastewater treatment plant

With an eye toward the future, the Lewes Board of Public Works is pursuing a planning grant to study the wastewater treatment plant on American Legion Road.

If successful in getting a grant, board members say a study could review sea-level rise and storm event models to determine if mitigation measures are possible, and if BPW should consider moving the plant to a new location.

“There’s been a lot of pressure to move the plant; I don’t think that’s necessarily indicated at this point,” said BPW President Pres Lee.

He added later, “I think we can let the science play out, and do what the engineers and scientists say is the right thing to do.”

Lee said discussion of a planning grant started when he, Mayor Ted Becker and Councilman Khalil Saliba met with representatives from Sen. Tom Carper’s office. They were directed to speak with Sen. Ernie Lopez, R-Lewes, who was supportive of such a study.

BPW engineer Charlie O’Donnell of George, Miles and Buhr said planning grants are typically a 50-50 split with the state. He estimated $100,000 would cover about half the total cost.

O’Donnell said the recently passed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is expected to filter a lot of money to Delaware.

“There will be a lot more money available for grants on the drinking water and wastewater side,” he said.

BPW General Manager Austin Calaman said the study may also be eligible for American Rescue Plan Act funds.

BPW Director Tom Panetta said environmental conditions are changing, and BPW needs to be ready. He said National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Federal Emergency Management Agency are running biweekly meetings across the country on resiliency. It’s been indicated that by 2050, the 100-year storm will be a 25-year storm, and a 25-year storm will be a 10-year storm, he said.

BPW hired consultant GHD two years ago, he said, and they were tasked with elevation studies at the plant.

“We need to let science determine what the proper outcome is,” he said. “If the plant needs to move, fine. We just need to bite the bullet. If we can mitigate the plant to the end of its life … fine. We need to do what’s both cost responsible and environmentally responsible for the citizens.”

Lee said there’s been a lot of misinformation put out into the public about the wastewater treatment plant. Becker said the lack of scientific information encourages speculation.

Mitigation committee

The board is also working toward creation of a mitigation committee that will look at the wastewater treatment plant and also all BPW utilities from a much higher perspective, including electric, water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure.

The committee would be advisory, with the ability to provide recommendations to the Board of Public Works.

BPW attorney Mike Hoffman is preparing a resolution to create the committee, which could occur as early as BPW’s January meeting.

Plant upgrades

Lewes BPW has applied for a low-interest loan with the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control to replace or rebuild several aging or failing components of the wastewater treatment facility as well as upstream pump stations. The work includes grit screens, a grit removal system, classifier and compactor. The pump station improvements involve the installation of emergency bypass retrofit pumps, water level transducers in lieu of floats, control panel updates and various other electrical upgrades. DNREC is accepting comments in support of or opposition to the loan application via mail to Keith Kooker, project engineer, Environmental Finance, 97 Commerce Way, Suite 106, Dover, DE 19904. DNREC is expected to reaffirm or revise its decision no sooner than Jan. 12, 2022.