REHOBOTH BEACH, Del.- For the third time, the City of Rehoboth Beach discussed the outfall proposal from Sussex County.
On Monday, members of county government were able to address concerns and clarify unclear parts of its written proposal.
More construction would take place if the city agrees to the proposal. Sussex County Administrator Todd Lawson says a pipe twelve inches in diameter would be installed to take treated water from the Wolfe Neck plant to Rehoboth's plant.
"That twelve inches is all we are asking for and there is going to be no further expansion from that point," Lawson said. "That is the perfect size pipe as my engineer tells me to run two millions gallons a day."
The county is offering $7.6 million for two million gallons per day. Finance Director Gina Jennings explained how the county came up with that number.
"You have a hydraulic capacity of 10.1 (million gallons per day)," Jennings said. "You take the 38.5 (entire outfall project cost) divided by 10.1. You get the cost of 3.8 million. Since we are asking for two MGD's times that by the 3.8 you have the $7.6 million."
This would be part of a 20-year plan to address needs in the different plants. The county already has backup plans if the city rejects this project.
"We are undergoing a significant planning and treatment expansion exercised at all three plants," Lawson said. "The Rehoboth proposal provides the county additional opportunities to diversify our flow between facilities."
Sussex County has permits submitted for review in relation to the Inland Bays facility if Rehoboth declines the offer. The county wants a decision by the first quarter of 2022 due to that being the time when DNREC could issue permits for the Inland Bays.
