DEP demands timeline to fix water issue

SUSSEX BOROUGH — Gerry Gardner, the Sussex Borough utility director, recently reported the state Department of Environmental Protection set up a mandatory timeline to fix a turbidity issue emanating from the Colesville Reservoir.

The DEP is requiring the borough to sign a “Memorandum of Understanding” outlining a firm schedule and new solution for the excessive turbidity. Although the cartridge filter method works, the DEP is not satisfied with the borough shutting the water plant down after an excessive storm.

If signed in two weeks, the Memorandum of Understanding is one step below consent that the DEP is not going to take Sussex Borough to court. Gardner said if the Borough does not act, the fine will be $10,000 per day.

Mayor Jonathan Rose also added that the DEP is pressing for the turbidity problem to be addressed before he leaves the mayoral seat in 2016.

Some possible solutions to be considered are: draining the Colesville Reservoir by removing the dam, cleaning the silt from the Reservoir bottom, constructing rain wells, relocating the water inlet, and possible ground water ideas. Every idea has a relatively high construction cost, he said.

Gardner asked the council to identify one or two council members to talk regularly to him because the issue with the DEP is time sensitive, and decisions need to be made.

Rose said the two issues of turbidity and dam replacement would be tied together because the two projects would be done together, which would be financially beneficial for the borough.

Councilwoman Linda Masson spoke of trying to get a grant before any construction took place, and she was hoping the DEP would help expedite the grants.

Gardner said that now that Dam Safety is involved, it expedites everything.