Rehoboth Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant

On July 10, 2016, the Rehoboth Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant experienced a biological upset resulting in a malfunction of one of the two clarifiers at the plant. This upset lasted for a very short period of time. Upon being informed of the problem the plant superintendent immediately responded to the plant and observed the problem had rectified itself. Follow-up testing identified the cause of this biologicial upset. Plant personnel immediately began adjustments to bring the process back in balance. Within the required 24-hour notification time, the plant superintendent notified DNREC of the upset. During the brief period of the upset the plant effluent may have exhibited non-typical characteristics, as was reportedly observed by a passerby operating a boat in the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal. Routine testing of the plant effluent showed that on July 10, 2016, the day of the upset, the plant met all of the numerical parameters of the City's permit with DNREC.

DNREC followed up on a complaint received from a citizen about the unusual nature of the discharge that was observed during the brief incident that had occurred on July 10, 2016. On July 26, 2016, DNREC issued the City a Notice of Violation related to this incident. The City is working with its consulting engineers to respond to this Notice of Violation. For additional information please contact the City Manager's Office at 302-227-6181.