will
be very expensive, with up to $44 billion needed to limit municipal CSO discharges
to 4-to-6 times per year, and over $200 billion necessary if CSO discharges
are to be eliminated entirely—a number that seems unattainable.
Wilmington's Long Term Control Plan
In 1999, Wilmington's Long Term Control Plan was created and in 2003 revised.
Other actions that The City has taken:
| • | Improved operation and maintenance of the sewer system. |
| • | Modified a major CSO pipe outlet to control CSOs. |
| • | Controlled industrial waste entering the sewer system on rainy days through an industrial pretreatment program. |
| • | Eliminated overflows of raw sewage when it is not raining through frequent inspections of CSO pipes and outlets. |
| • | Implemented street cleaning and public education to reduce litter entering the waterways. |
| • | Designed a screen at a major CSO pipe outlet to capture floatable material and trash before it is discharged to nearby waterways. |
| • | Implemented pollution prevention programs including waste recycling, special cleanups, and public education. |
| • | Implemented public notification by posting signs, stenciling storm drains, coordinating with civic groups, and distributing fact sheets to the public and news media. |
| • | Implemented a monitoring program to characterize CSO impacts on water quality and habitat, and to track improvements associated with control efforts. |
| • | Constructed a diversion dam from 26th and Pine and connected to the Prices Run relief sewer to prevent dry weather overflows at CSO 4b caused by filter backwash overflows from the Porter Potable water filter plant. |
| • | Also raised the dam at the diversion chamber at 13th and Locust to contain the flow in the Prices Run interceptor and prevent dry weather overflows at CSO 4a. |
| • | Installed 2.7 million gallon underground storage tank in Canby Park to capture and hold combined sewer overflow for later treatment at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Diverted CSOs 28 and 29 to the tanks. |
What
Wilmington Needs to Move Forward
Wilmington will need time and financial assistance to implement the full control
plan. In the meantime, operation of the system is currently permitted by DNREC,
and Wilmington has followed the recommendations of a CSO Task Force appointed
by the General Assembly.
Wilmington also needs:
| • | Our Long Term Control Plan supported by the General Assembly. |
| • | Recognition and support for a measured approach, as prescribed by the U.S. EPA. |
