Funding secured for sewer expansion project

WICOMICO COUNTY, Md. — County Executive Julie Giordano announced Monday that the Maryland Water Infrastructure Financing Administration selected Wicomico County’s sewer expansion and septic elimination plan for funding under the 2025 Water Quality State Revolving Fund (WQSRF) Intended Use Plan (IUP).

The master plan has been in the works since 2023. With the funding, the county can begin working toward its goal of removing aging septic systems and connecting all homes to public sewer lines.

“There is so much foundation that had to be done, and that’s really what we’ve been working on for two and a half years,” Giordano said.

Disconnecting old septic systems is expected to significantly reduce environmental risks associated with failing systems, such as runoff into local rivers that flow into the Chesapeake Bay. Reducing septic failures also lowers the risk of well-water and soil contamination.

The upgrades will also protect property values in Wicomico County, according to County Council President John Cannon.

“This is one way the county can help, and the city is cooperating as well, to restore a sewer system to these homes so they don’t lose their property values, and they’ll be able to stay in their homes,” Cannon said.

Cannon added that the project will save residents with septic tanks money in the long run. “If their system fails and they hook up, they’ll have to start paying a water bill anyway, so this is a process by which they will have a discounted rate initially to hook up,” Cannon said.

Construction is expected to begin in December 2026.

“Education on our part is going to be super important. Making sure that the public understands what we’re doing, why we’re doing it, and what their options are. We’ve been working closely with the city of Salisbury, where annexation doesn’t have to happen,” Giordano said.