Sussex County probes treated wastewater diversion near Bethany Beach

GEORGETOWN, Del. — Sussex County officials are investigating a treated wastewater diversion from a regional treatment facility near Bethany Beach after a damaged pipe began discharging into a nearby ditch rather than the Atlantic Ocean, authorities said Wednesday.

The county’s Environmental Services division reported the issue to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) on Saturday after discovering a section of pipe had been compromised. The pipe, part of the South Coastal Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility, typically carries highly treated effluent about a mile offshore for ocean discharge.

Instead, some of the treated water was diverted into a tax ditch near the Assawoman Canal, the county said in a statement. Officials estimate the diversion accounts for less than 10% of the facility’s total discharge.

“The County takes very seriously its responsibility to provide the most efficient, economical, and environmentally conscious public wastewater service,” County Administrator Todd F. Lawson said in a statement. “Ordinarily, our operation runs seamlessly … Unfortunately, however, sometimes technical issues and equipment failures happen.”

Preliminary testing of the discharged effluent shows it remains within the limits set by the county’s state-issued permit, and no public health or environmental risks have been identified. As of Wednesday, DNREC had not issued any advisories or warnings related to the incident.

Officials say crews are working to repair the damage and ensure full compliance moving forward.