Rehoboth Beach conducting storm water sampling near Lake Gerar and the boardwalk

Between now and September, the city of Rehoboth Beach says that they will be conducting storm water sampling near Lake Gerar and along the boardwalk.

In the next week, residents will reportedly see nine quality sampler units being installed next to manholes in these areas. D.N.R.E.C. mandated the city to turn in a report on the water quality in five storm water outfalls that empty into the ocean as a part of the approval of the Rehoboth ocean outfall permits.

The outfalls are at Grenoble Place, Maryland Avenue, Rehoboth Avenue, Laurel Street and Delaware Avenue. The purpose of the sampling is to investigate what is in the city's storm water. The information will reportedly be sued to check the water quality, and where needed, develop options to cut storm water volume and evaluate disposal options along with improving the water quality.

During a storm, the tubing will pull a sample of the storm water at specific times. It is critical that these units and their tubing are not unplugged, moved or disturbed to make sure that accurate information is collected.

If people see a sampler and it seems like someone has tampered with it, they are asked to call the Rehoboth Beach Police Department at 302-227-2577 so that the sampler can be checked to assure that it is in proper working order.

During or just after a storm, residents will see G.H.D. employees on-site collecting the samples. Their safety vests will be clearly marked G.H.D. If residents see anyone that seems to be working on the samplers that are not in the G.H.D safety vests, they are asked to call Police.

Officials thank people for doing their part to protect the water quality at the beach. Anyone with questions about the sampling process, is asked to call G.H.D. engineer Jeff Riling at 240-206-6838 or via email at Jeff.Riling@ghd.com.