When I moved to Rehoboth six years ago I had no idea of the issues facing our waterways and our drinking water. I looked at the sparkling bays thinking how great it would be to go crabbing or take a plunge in that inviting water.
Over the ensuing years as a volunteer for the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays I have learned what lurks below those sparkling waters. There are multiple contaminants including bacteria and nitrogen. The sources are numerous, from septic systems to runoff from land. These contaminants are choking our bay with algae, starving our fish and contaminating our shellfish.
When we conduct our horseshoe crab counts on the Inland Bays we give rigorous warnings to our volunteers to take great care when they step into the bay: Do not wear opened-toed shoes, do not go in the water if you have an open wound, go to the emergency room if you cut yourself. We have volunteers come from all over the world to participate in our annual horseshoe crab counts. What kind of message do they take home after our safety drill?
HB 270 seeks funding for clean water and flood abatement for Delaware. Over time, funding for clean water has not kept pace with funding needs. Currently the state has a $100 million shortage of funds to maintain clean water standards. HB 270 would ask every citizen to pay a small fee for clean water projects across the state.
I urge you, my fellow citizens, to contact your legislators and let them know how important this legislation is for us and those that follow us.
Dr. Susan K. Ball
Rehoboth Beach
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