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Council hears water reclamation plant operations report; waterpark developer deliverables expected next meeting
Summary
Plant staff described heavy rain events, shellfish‑tank usage and interjurisdictional flow problems; the council was told headworks MDE permit is ready and that waterpark developer Paddock will provide scope and budget deliverables at the next meeting.
Town staff and the plant operations team briefed the Chesapeake Beach Town Council on May 8 about ongoing operational challenges at the town’s water reclamation treatment plant and on deliverables for the Waterpark renovation project.
Josh, the plant operations representative, summarized recent maintenance and emergency repairs at the plant and described a large runoff event in April that forced the plant to route excess flow into the shellfish protection tank. He said the plant saw more than a million gallons routed to the tank during the April 11–12 rain event and that the plant’s partners have been engaged to address upstream sources of inflow. Josh told the council a meeting with Anne Arundel County is planned for July to discuss high flows from the Rose Haven area and possible mitigation steps.
Josh described actions taken this reporting period: preventative maintenance (gear reducer inspections, lubrication, greasing), replacement of a reagent injector, repair of a UV distribution block after a ground short, and the installation of a new HVA ventilation system in the denitrification filter building. He said a previously noted blower vibration issue traced to faulty sensors, which were replaced. He also reported that core sampling of piles and grade beams at the waterpark site found no significant settlement and that piles were cored and in good condition; Paddock Pools’ field report was provided to the council that afternoon.
On interjurisdictional flows, staff said Anne Arundel County flows spike from a typical 70,000 gallons a day to around 400,000 gallons during heavy rains in certain areas that rely on grinder pumps; those spikes contribute to hydraulic challenges at the plant. Council members raised concerns that a single large storm could overwhelm the system and lead to discharges.
Separately, the council discussed the waterpark redevelopment. Council members recalled approving up to $60,000 earlier to Paddock for deliverables (scope of work and budget) and the expectation that the developer would return with a demolition quote and a budgetary estimate at the next meeting. Staff reported Paddock is preparing demolition‑permit support materials and said the developer indicated they would not proceed with demolition unless replacement plans are in hand; staff described the developer as doing preparatory work to be ready to execute once the full plan is presented. Council members reiterated that the $60,000 deliverable was to include a scope and a budget and that those deliverables were expected at the next meeting.
Additional plant items: the headworks project has an MDE permit and is ready to proceed when funding is available; the plant team will meet with partners to address discrepancies in EDU allocations; the utility rate study has completed phase one with a follow-up report and proposed rates expected in June.
What’s next: staff said they expect Paddock’s demolition quote and a rough budget estimate at the next council meeting; the council also expects an update after the July meeting with Anne Arundel County on high upstream flows.
