Kent County Levy Court Public Works is dealing with a wastewater line break that is leading to sewage flowing into the St. Jones River.
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control advised the public to avoid contact with water in the St. Jones at the area of the leak.
Kent County Levy Court Public Works will work into the night with environmental contractors to repair the main, with staff from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control assessing the situation.
While one of the largest water lines in the county is shut down, due to repairs to the sanitary sewage system, residents are advised to limit water usage to cooking, drinking water, using the toilet, or dripping water to prevent pipes from freezing.
The sewer overflow – which occurred when the main ruptured near Kent County’s pumping station along its Puncheon Run line – was reported to DNREC Wednesday afternoon.
Wednesday’s event marks the second major sewage leak in Delaware in recent years.
A problem with the Lewes waste treatment plan led to discharges and water use advisories. (See story below).
Those with concerns and questions can contact the DNREC Environmental Crimes Unit at 800-662-8802.
Tidewater’s Lewes wastewater treatment plant problems surface again