Federal and state officials formally celebrated the opening of a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment facility in Delaware.

This week, lawmakers from Delaware, Maryland and officials from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new wastewater treatment facility in Delmar, Delaware. Representatives from local construction and engineering companies also joined the officials, as they celebrated the culmination of years of planning and work that went into its development.

The Delmar wastewater treatment plant had fallen into disrepair over the past few decades. Lawmakers endeavored to upgrade the facility so that it would comply with stringent water quality laws and improve public health. What's more, they said that as the wastewater treatment plant feeds into the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, it was of the utmost importance that the facility be upgraded.

The federal government is working to rein in soaring pollution levels in Chesapeake Bay. Environmental and public health officials affirmed that antiquated wastewater treatment plants in the region, combined with an uptick in agricultural runoff, had fueled the growth of blue-green algae blooms in the bay.

Blue-green algae blooms, whose growth is spurred by the presence of nitrogen and phosphorous, are toxic to both marine and human life. They deplete oxygen concentrations in water sources, creating hypoxic zones where fish and other aquatic life cannot survive. Public officials often contract with companies to treat affected water sources with sodium aluminate and aluminum sulfate.

Delaware Governor Jack Markell attended the ceremony, affirming that the wastewater treatment plant would serve as model for surrounding communities and states contending with antiquated and poor-performing facilities.

"Here in Delmar, we celebrate efforts by two towns in two states to make clean water a top priority," he said. "Investments made here at the Delmar wastewater treatment facility pay tremendous dividends. They are supporting local jobs and businesses while providing clean water that protects the health of families and helps ensure the water quality of our precious rivers and streams and Chesapeake Bay Watershed."

The state used EPA financing to help fund construction and development of the wastewater treatment plant. Because Delmar is located on Delaware's border with Maryland, the latter state also pitched in. In total, more than $7.4 million was secured for the project. Delaware Senator Tom Carper said supporting public projects such as the wastewater treatment plant upgrades would help to "protect and preserve our precious natural resources for years to come."

Posted on December 28th, 2011 under Wastewater News