Drainage project underway along Cannon Road near Long Neck

One of the largest stormwater and drainage projects in the history of Sussex County is nearing completion along Cannon Road near Long Neck and Oak Orchard at the county's Inland Bays Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility.

The $12 million Cannon Road-Inland Bays Road drainage improvement and constructed wetlands project got underway in February 2023, with expected completion in spring 2024.

The aim of the project is to reduce runoff to Guinea Creek and reduce flooding along Cannon Road and in the wastewater treatment plant's spray irrigation fields.

County engineer Hans Medlarz, who is retiring in early 2024, has provided updates on the status of the project to Sussex County Council during the year.

The project includes a large swale and stormwater system to drain and collect water on the spray fields and Cannon Road, and flood remediation measures are in place along Cannon Road and Friendship Road.

The county is constructing an elevated wetlands area to treat effluent and rainwater. Medlarz said the wetlands plants will take up excess nitrogen, then return the water back into the ground.

The wetlands were constructed in coordination with the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control under a five-year pilot program using a portion of the county's American Rescue Plan Act funds.

To keep pace with the growth, the Inland Bays treatment plant has undergone several major upgrades over the past five years, including the most recent $13.6 million biosolids and septage upgrade project.

Inland Bays and the Wolfe Neck treatment facility near Rehoboth Beach operate in the Cape Region.

Wastewater can be pumped to either plant from a pumping station near Wescoats Corner outside Lewes.