Tidewater to create Delaware's first nonprofit wastewater utility

U.S. Sen. Tom Carper joined representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Clean Water Solutions and Tidewater Utilities recently to announce federal funding to support the needs of small, aging rural community wastewater systems in Delaware. The announcement was made during a press conference held at the Country Glen II subdivision in Bridgeville, which is served by Tidewater.

Under the leadership of the USDA Delaware Office, a task force spent two years developing an approach aimed at dealing with the complex issue of maintaining older rural community wastewater systems. The solutions require the proper mix of technical, environmental, social, management and financial elements to allow them to work in these small, remote settings. Tidewater offered its technical leadership in the water and wastewater field to help develop this innovative nonprofit utility concept that will initially be piloted at Country Glen II. Tidewater will lend continued expertise as an in-kind contribution to carry out these efforts once the nonprofit is in full operation.

"I'm proud that Delaware is leading the way with this innovative solution that I think could serve as a model to solve similar problems in small, rural communities across the country," said Carper.

"Small community wastewater systems face unique challenges in regard to sustainability and maintaining compliance," said Gerard Esposito, president of Tidewater Utilities. "We are glad that this issue has captured public attention and that we are able to be part of a solution that helps to lift the burden on residents served by these systems."

Tidewater will manage the operations of the system and billing of the new sewer customers because several of the communities identified for funding reside in Tidewater's water service area. If this approach is approved by the Delaware Public Service Commission and becomes successful at Country Glen II, other communities are expected to be considered under the same model.

For more information about Tidewater, go to www.tuiwater.com or call 302-734-7500.