Sussex County Council’s (County) existing distribution and marketing permit authorizes the land application of thermally treated (pasteurized) and lime stabilized biosolids, generated at the South Coastal Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility (SCRWTF), onto farmland as a fertilizer and liming agent.  To assure compliance with State and Federal “Class A” “Exceptional Quality” (EQ) regulatory requirements, the finished biosolids product is required to be sampled for specific bacterial, chemical, and nutrient parameters. 

At the County’s request, upon renewal of their existing distribution and marketing permit, the county will be permitted to receive and treat sewage sludge from the City of Rehoboth at the SCRWTF to EQ biosolids standards.  All EQ biosolids product will continue be sold under the name “South Coastal Blend” and will be utilized as a fertilizer and liming material in agricultural settings.  “South Coastal Blend” may also be utilized on athletic fields, golf courses, roadside grass strips, and other similar grassy areas.

The above referenced permit will be amended under Part III, B. of the Department’s Guidance and Regulations Governing the Land Treatment of Wastes, which allows for such activity pending public notice.

Copies of the proposed permit amendment referenced above are available by contacting:

Brian Churchill
Surface Water Discharges Section
89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901
302-739-9946
Brian.Churchill@Delaware.gov

A public hearing on the above application will NOT be held unless the Secretary of DNREC determines that a public hearing is in the public interest or if a written meritorious objection to the application is received by 4:30 p.m. March 23, 2020.  A public hearing request shall be deemed meritorious if it exhibits a familiarity with the application and provides a reasoned statement of the action’s probable impact.