Rehoboth set to vote on regional wastewater partnership

Following a favorable recommendation from city staff, Rehoboth Beach commissioners reached a consensus to move forward with a vote on whether the city should agree to the creation of a regional wastewater partnership with Sussex County and Lewes Board of Public Works. The vote is expected to take place Friday, Dec. 20.

County and Lewes BPW officials approached Rehoboth this summer about the creation of a regional wastewater partnership because Lewes needs a new wastewater treatment facility. The county has offered Rehoboth a one-time payment of $20 million, and to pay for future operation and maintenance costs. In return, the county would like the ability to pump up to 5 million gallons per day through Rehoboth’s outfall. The county and BPW have also asked Rehoboth officials to give them a response by the end of the year.

There have been five discussions on the subject since it was first proposed. A consultant hired by the city said the county’s proposed payment was reasonable and that the outfall pipe had the excess capacity to handle it.

More recently, during a workshop Dec. 9, Public Works Director Henry Matlosz said there are things to consider, but ultimately city staff believes all concerns have been adequately addressed and staff recommends the city move forward with the proposal.

Commissioner Edward Chrzanowski said it would be a huge missed opportunity if the city didn’t move forward, and that it’s also what’s best for coastal Delaware.

Commissioner Suzanne Goode said she’s got a number of concerns about the proposal, including a lack of information on how the city will be compensated if the outfall breaks and effluent is polluting the beach. She said she also thinks the $20 million proposal is much less than it should be because it would cost much more to build a new one.

Commissioner Craig Thier said he has concerns about the quality of the effluent, but that he is still in favor of moving forward because the framework for an agreement is there and it’s time for more formalized negotiations.

There was discussion about delaying a vote until a town hall meeting could be scheduled, but Mayor Stan Mills said it would be difficult to get it scheduled before mid-January and the benefit would likely be limited. 

As it’s been through the discussions, public opinion on moving ahead was mixed at the Dec. 9 meeting.

Property owner Tom Gaynor said commissioners weren’t asking enough questions about indemnification in case the outfall fails.

Former Mayor Sam Cooper said he thought it was a good deal and the city should move forward.

Resident Carolyn Diefenderfer said working with Lewes and the county was the appropriate thing to do because the city is part of a larger community.

Resident Lisa Schlosser, a former city commissioner, suggested a referendum on the issue. Give the voters a real chance to weigh in, she said.

If the regional partnership is formed, it would really be an extension of a relationship the city and the county already have.

Rehoboth and the county have been in partnerships with wastewater agreements since 1983, with the current agreement being signed in 2017. These partnerships include loans to Rehoboth Beach provided by the county, with the county financing additional treatment plant upgrades. Additionally, the county pays 42% of loans in the city’s name related to other treatment plant upgrades – $12 million – and the outfall – $40 million.

Rehoboth currently treats flow from Dewey Beach, West Rehoboth and Henlopen Acres. The city bills the county the appropriate operational and maintenance costs quarterly. In Fiscal Year 2024, Rehoboth Beach received about $1.6 million for treating Dewey Beach flow and $300,000 for treating Henlopen Acres.