GEORGETOWN, DE, July 16, 2008 -- The Town of Georgetown and Artesian Resources Corporation have finalized a wastewater service agreement establishing a long-term arrangement that will meet the future wastewater treatment and disposal needs in Georgetown's growth and annexation areas.
Georgetown Mayor Edwin Lambden and Artesian CEO Dian Taylor signed the wastewater contract at a ceremony held outside town hall on The Circle at 1:30 p.m. yesterday. "We are excited to have a solution for the future wastewater needs of Georgetown," said Lambden.
Artesian will provide up to 1 million gallons per day of wastewater capacity for the town within the next 10 years. The Company will receive untreated wastewater effluent from properties located within Georgetown's current and future annexation and growth areas.
"Artesian is extremely pleased to have been selected by Georgetown to meet its future needs for wastewater treatment," said Taylor. "The agreement executed with Georgetown today is another example of Artesian's commitment to the provision of environmentally sensitive and cost effective wastewater solutions to communities throughout Delaware."
Georgetown will benefit from economies of scale by utilizing Artesian's North Sussex Regional Water Recharge facility, which is expected to be operational by mid-2009. Located northwest of Milton, it will encompass a 75-acre treatment site and approximately 1,700 acres of farmland preservation land, where treated wastewater will be disposed of through spray irrigation. The facility will have the capacity to provide wastewater service for up to 40,000 homes in the northern Sussex County area.
Artesian will be responsible for capital improvements required for the treatment, storage and disposal of wastewater effluent from Georgetown's Sand Hill Pump station, as well as design, construction and maintenance of the regional wastewater facility, a force main interconnection, all meters, and piping necessary to receive Georgetown's effluent flow.
The town will retain ownership of its existing water and wastewater facilities, and will continue to operate those facilities. Its day-to-day operations will not require any personnel adjustments.
Artesian Resources Corporation operates as the holding company of eight wholly-owned subsidiaries offering water and wastewater services.
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