The DNREC Division of Water has under consideration the applications of Artesian Wastewater Management, Inc. for a new construction permit and amendments to a renewed operation permit for phase 3 upgrades at the Sussex Regional Recharge Facility (SRRF) located along Route 30, approximately 4,000 feet north of the intersection of Route 16 and Route 30, south of Reynolds Pond Rd (Road 231) in Sussex County (Sussex County Parcel Number 235-6.00-28.09).

The applications are deemed administratively complete and sufficient to proceed with a public hearing on the draft On-Site Wastewater Treatment and Disposal System Construction and Operation Permits on Thursday, December 18, 2025, beginning at 6 p.m. (Docket No. 2025-P-W-0022).

Construction Permit

Artesian Wastewater Management, Inc. (AWMI) has applied for a State of Delaware On-Site Wastewater Treatment and Disposal System (OWTDS) Construction Permit for Phase 3 upgrades at the Sussex Regional Recharge Facility (SRRF). The proposed upgrades would increase treatment capacity to 1.875 million gallons per day for wastewater received from AWMI’s wastewater service territories in Sussex County. The proposed Phase 3 upgrades include new treatment equipment using the same technology as the existing treatment facilities and would include the construction of a mechanical influent screen, four additional hybrid Bardenpho treatment trains with integral clarifiers and aerated sludge holding, influent pumps (installed in existing wet well), cloth media filtration system, UV system and effluent pumps (installed in existing wet well). Treated wastewater would be pumped to an existing 90 million gallon treated effluent storage lagoon. Phase 3 would not include any changes to the disposal capacity.

Operations Permit Renewal and Amendment

AWMI has applied for a renewal and amendment of State of Delaware Operations Permit No. 359288-02 for the Sussex Regional Recharge Facility (SRRF). The SRRF is currently authorized to receive treated poultry processing wastewater from the Allen Harim Foods Harbeson Processing Facility’s wastewater treatment system for storage in a 90 million gallon lagoon prior to discharge via spray irrigation. The SRRF is also currently authorized to receive and treat wastewater from within AWMI’s service territories, mix the treated effluent with the treated effluent from Allen Harim within the existing 90 million gallon storage lagoon and discharge the blended treated effluent via spray irrigation. The proposed amendment to AWMI’s Operations Permit No. 359288-02 would authorize operation of the Phase 3 wastewater treatment system upgrades, once constructed.

For additional information on the above matter, and to review Artesian Wastewater Management, Inc.’s applications, supporting documents, and draft permits online, visit the DNREC public hearings web page at de.gov/dnrechearings or contact John Rebar Jr. at john.rebar@delaware.gov or 302-739-9948.

Public Hearing

The public hearing on the above matter will be held on Thursday, December 18, 2025, beginning at 6 p.m. The web link to the virtual hearing can be found on the DNREC Public Hearings web page at de.gov/dnrechearings. If prompted for a passcode, please use 891238. To access the audio-only portion of the virtual hearing, dial 1-305-224-1968 and enter Meeting ID: 820 0085 4816 (Passcode: 891238). Language assistance is available by request within 10 days of the hearing. Closed-captioning is available via the ZOOM platform utilized for all DNREC Public Hearings.

Those wishing to offer verbal comments during DNREC virtual public hearings must pre-register no later than noon on the date of the virtual hearing at de.gov/dnreccomments or by telephone at 302-739-9001.

DNREC will accept public comment through January 2, 2026. Comments will be accepted in written form via email to DNRECHearingComments@delaware.gov, using the online form at de.gov/dnreccomments or by U.S. mail to the following address:

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

Related Topics:  permitting and regulation, public comments, public hearing, public notice, wastewater, water