01/24/2007

Hearing set for sewer expansion
By Bob Lassahn

At the January 16 meeting of the Worcester County Commissioners a proposal to expand the Riddle Farm Sewer System to serve businesses south of Route 50 was presented by Comprehensive Planning Director Sandy Coyman. Public sewer service from the Riddle Farm system is proposed to serve Wal-Mart, Home Depot and the proposed Ocean Landing II commercial development. Mr. Coyman was specifically requesting that the commissioners schedule a required public hearing on an amendment to the Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan.

To facilitate service to the commercial area the Riddle wastewater Treatment Plant would be expanded from 0.2 million gallons per day (mgd) to a total capacity of 0.28 mgd.  Currently the plant is rated to provide 675 equivalent dwelling units (EDUs) that are assigned to the Riddle residential lots and golf courses. At the new rating a total of 942 EDUs would be possible with 92 allocated to serve the commercial area and 175 available to Riddle developer Centex. The plant utilizes spray irrigation, primarily on the golf course, to dispose of the treated effluent.

Director Richard Wells, Department of Environmental Programs, describes the transition to public sewer as desirable from a public health standpoint. In a December memorandum to the Department of Comprehensive Planning he noted that the elimination of the large septic system presently serving the commercial area would provide a greater treatment level to remove high nitrogen content and that spraying on the golf course would provide additional filtration of the discharge. The Planning Commission found the amendment consistent with the Comprehensive Plan at their regular meeting in December.

The commissioners scheduled a public hearing for February 6, 2007, their next regular meeting date to consider the proposed amendment.


Send an Email Letter to Courier Editor - be sure to include your telephone number.