Wastewater sludge released from water treatment facility

The Rehoboth Beach public works department is completing cleanup of wastewater sludge that overflowed from the city’s wastewater treatment facility overnight sometime between 10 pm Friday and 2 am Saturday. The overflow, discovered about 8 am Saturday, was the result of intense rainfall and ongoing construction at the treatment facility. The sludge was released into the ground as well as the marsh adjacent to the facility.

While it is not known how much wastewater was released, approximately 4,000 gallons were vacuumed up today. In addition, a coating of lime was applied to the impacted ground area around the facility. Lime will be applied again tomorrow.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has issued an environmental release notification about this incident, https://apps.dnrec.state.de.us/derns/pub/ReleaseDetail.aspx?ReleaseID=2….