USDA funds a long awaited wastewater infrastructure for Blades

BLADES, Del. – On Monday, it was announced that the state is set to receive over $9 million in rural water and wastewater infrastructure from the Biden-Harris Administration. We’re told, part of this funding will go towards a new water treatment plant for the town of Blades. “You don’t know what it’s like until you don’t have water,” says Scott Kessel, Acting State Director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Kessel tells us, many rural areas have been asking for years for safe, reliable, modern water and wastewater systems. “That moment you don’t have the water and you start thinking about the things that it effects, that’s when it starts to register something must be done here,” says Kessel. Now after a almost three years in the works, the USDA is investing in water infrastructure in those rural areas to build better, stronger, more equitable communities.

We’re told part of the investment gives Sussex County a loan for over $4 million and a grant for over $3 million to build a water treatment plant in Blades to help create a permanent, effective, granular activated carbon vessel. Basically, a better system to provide treatment for the town of Blade’s drinking water. “I think it’s great form an environment stand point, it’s great from a standpoint for the citizens because they can now be on a central sewer system,” says Hans Medlarz, a Sussex County Engineer who will be working on the project.

Medlarz adds, this plan will allow residents to avoid expensive costs to get cleaner water, something that’s essential for all residents. “It gives you a clear path looking forward, versus essentially being on your own trying to remediate a problem which is mandated by the state of Delaware,” says Medlarz. Kessel adds, “That’s why it’s so important because we’ve had situations where people have water tankers coming in and that’s not a good way to get your water.”

Although the project is months away from getting started, officials say they’re just happy to finally have the funds to help the county and in turn, help Delaware. “People can count on us now, in the future, during a pandemic and now that we’re coming out, we’re still here,” says Kessel.

Officials from Sussex County tell 47 ABC, this will be a three to four month process before they can get started on construction, but the plans are in the works.

If you want to learn more information about the project, just click here.