Rehoboth Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant issue addressed

On July 10, the Rehoboth Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant apparently experienced a biological upset resulting in a malfunction of one of the two clarifiers at the plant.

Officials say this upset lasted for a very short period of time, and upon being informed of the problem, the plant superintendent immediately responded to the plant and observed the problem had rectified itself.

Follow-up testing reportedly identified the cause of this biological upset. Officials say that plant personnel immediately began adjustments to bring the process back in balance, and within the required 24-hour notification time, the plant superintendent notified DNREC of the upset.

During the brief period of the upset, the plant effluent may have exhibited non-typical characteristics, as was reportedly observed by a passerby operating a boat in the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal.

Routine testing of the plant effluent apparently showed that on July 10, the day of the upset, the plant met all of the numerical parameters of the City’s permit with DNREC.

DNREC reportedly followed up on a complaint received from a citizen about the unusual nature of the discharge that was observed during the brief incident that had occurred on July 10, and on July 26, DNREC issued the City a Notice of Violation related to this incident.

The City is apparently working with its consulting engineers to respond to this Notice of Violation.

For additional information please contact the City Manager’s Office at 302-227-6181.