Town officials hold public meeting to discuss progress of the Morris Mill Project

Officials say the 8-million dollar Morris Mill project which started after a harmful chemical was found in residences wells is about halfway done.

Just about three years ago the chemical trichloroethylene, commonly referred to as TCE, was found in private wells in the area affecting more than two-hundred and seventy homes.

The project was aimed at fixing the problem by introducing a new water supply through a new water tower.

Some residents at the meeting on Monday brought up costs saying the plan doesn’t work for them.

“That’s another fee that I’ll have to pay when I think it’s unnecessary”, says Deary Dennis, “I shouldn’t have to go through this. I know some people have bad water but our well water is good”.

Weston Young, the Wicomico County Director of Public Works, says just because wells aren’t contaminated now doesn’t mean they stay contaminated free in the future.

“With contaminates underground they don’t just sit there they move and we don’t necessarily know a well that’s fine today could be contaminated tomorrow”.

And as for the costs officials say this cost will vary per household.

“If you’re using lots more water you’re going to pay more whereas if you’re living by yourself fairly spartan you’re not going to have as high of a bill”.

At Monday’s meeting, officials said the water tower is almost complete. The next step is connecting the houses to the new water supply. Right now each house of the affected area has a well and officials say there’s piping that goes from the well to the house. The next step would involve hiring Plumbers to disconnect the well and connect to the new water supply.

Plumbers will bid to service an select area work on that part of the project through the winter.

Officials say this final phase of the project should be completed earlier next year.