The DNREC Division of Water will conduct a public hearing on related applications from Allen Harim Foods, LLC, for an on-site wastewater treatment and disposal system, and from Artesian Wastewater Management, Inc., for a spray irrigation operations permit. (Public Comment Period Closed)

Allen Harim Foods has applied for an operations permit for an on-site wastewater treatment and disposal system to treat up to 4.0 MGD of poultry processing wastewater at the Allen Harim Harbeson Processing Facility. The majority of the poultry processing water is generated onsite at the Harbeson facility with a minor amount discharged to the treatment system from the Pinnacle Processing facility and Dagsboro Hatchery facility.

Treated wastewater effluent will be pumped via force main to the Artesian Northern Sussex Regional Water Reclamation Facility (ANSRWRF).

Artesian Wastewater Management, Inc., has applied for a spray irrigation operations permit to receive that treated wastewater effluent for storage, in a synthetically lined lagoon, and disposal, via spray irrigation at the Artesian Northern Sussex Regional Water Reclamation Facility. The design average daily flow is 1.5 MGD with a peak flow of 2.0 MGD.

The facility will utilize reclaimed wastewater for irrigation of privately owned agricultural land under a lease held in perpetuity by Artesian. The proposed irrigation sites (including current and future phases) total approximately 1,714 acres of land which includes both wooded and agricultural area. These sites have been permanently placed in an Agricultural Preservation Easement by the Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Foundation.

The effluent will receive a high level of treatment to meet the “Unlimited Public Access” requirement at the Allen Harim Wastewater Treatment Plant. Nitrogen polishing will be accomplished through crop uptake to meet Regulatory requirements. The Artesian facility is also capable of disinfecting the stored wastewater if additional treatment is required prior to spray irrigation.

Public Hearing Officer

Lisa A. Vest
DNREC Office of the Secretary
89 Kings Highway
Dover, DE 19901

Hearing Officer’s Report, Order, and Permit — Allen Harim

Hearing Officer’s Report

Secretary’s Order No: 2021-W-0012 — Approving the On-Site Wastewater Treatment and Disposal System Operations Permit Application of Allen Harim Foods, LLC (“Allen Harim”) to treat poultry processing wastewater at its Harbeson Processing Facility in Harbeson, Delaware. (Effective Date: April 27, 2021)

Signed Permit 597261-01

Hearing Officer’s Report, Order, and Permit — Artesian

Hearing Officer’s Report

Secretary’s Order No. 2020-W-0008 — Approving the On-Site Wastewater Treatment and Disposal System Operations Permit Application for treated wastewater effluent disposal via spray irrigation by Artesian Wastewater Management, Inc. (“Artesian”), at Artesian Northern Sussex Regional Water Recharge Facility (“ANSRWRF”) located in Milton, Delaware (Effective Date: March 18, 2020)

Signed Permit 359288-02

Public Hearing Transcript

Public Hearing Transcript

Department’s Exhibits

Public Notice
DNREC On-Site Regulations and Guidance Documents
Allen Harim Application
Draft Permit – Allen Harim Foods, LLC
DNREC Presentation – Allen Harim
Artesian Application
Draft Permit – Artesian Wastewater Management, Inc.
DNREC Presentation – Artesian ANSRWRF

Applicants’ Exhibits

Joint Allen Harim/Artesian Presentation

Public Comment

Comments Received Prior to the August 21 Public Hearing
Comments Received at the August 21 Public Hearing
Comments Received Following the August 21 Public Hearing