Local Government

Talbot County

Preserve at Wye Mills Wastewater Treatment Plant

Until 2021, the Preserve at Wye Mills Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) was owned by the property owners association. It was failing and repeatedly violating permit requirements, resulting in the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) taking formal action. In 2021 the Talbot County Council passed a resolution authorizing the County to take over management of the plant calling it an “emergency and a public health menace.” The County also entered into a Settlement Agreement and Consent Order with MDE.

RAUCH inc. was retained to conduct a preliminary engineering analysis of the existing facilities at the WWTP. Our analysis revealed that the WWTP was designed for the community’s full buildout of 67 lots with a total design flow of 20,100 GPD; however, only 53 homes were connected generating average flows of 7,367 GPD (approximately 36% of the design flow capacity). Low flow and low organic loading were significant contributors to the operational issues at the plant. Our analysis also evaluated spray field capacity and storage lagoon capacity.

Our environmental services team investigated site feasibility to safely attenuate wastewater from the failing RBC plant to effectively lower nutrient concentrations being observed in background water quality. Our evaluation consisted of preliminary examination of soils from 4” hand augers, converting the bore holes into 2-inch diameter hydraulic conductivity wells for slug testing, surface infiltration testing using a 24” single ring infiltrometer, and reading water levels over the course of this report. We conducted groundwater, slug/percolation, and infiltrometer tests, and conducted a mounding analysis.

After our studies were completed, ProStart was hired as an operator to work under our supervision. As a short-term solution, we implemented process refinements and minor equipment changes that were successful in immediately improving performance at the plant. We were also asked by the County to evaluate long-term options for repairing or replacing the existing WWTP and getting it to ENR treatment. We provided the County with a report making recommendations on MBR treatment add-on units, and addressing permitting, right-of-way, and sustainability concerns. We included total alternative costing (with debt repayments), a life cycle cost analysis, O&M costs, soft costs, and construction cost estimates. Most recently, we have provided the County with 80% design plans for the improvements.

Sanitary Sewer Upgrades, Repairs, and Inspections

RAUCH inc. has provided sanitary sewer upgrades, repairs, and inspections for numerous projects including Talbot County’s Phase V Sanitary Sewer Project (St. Michaels Region). The project included pump station and force main replacement as well as alternative utility and drainage design.

RAUCH inc was awarded both the engineering design and construction management contracts. The design scope of work included surveying for existing conditions, formulation of all base sheets, providing O&M manuals, permit applications, specifications, and meetings with Town personnel. Construction management included project inspections and progress reports, pre-construction meetings, progress meetings, consultations and field visits, and final inspections. All work was conducted in accordance with U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development funding which was secured for the project.

Ferry Point Septic Elimination Preliminary Engineering

RAUCH inc. was retained by Talbot County for a Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) and to provide project planning and design engineering services for this wastewater treatment extension project. The project proposes to provide regional sanitary sewer services to the Ferry Point community, an unincorporated rural village area in Talbot County.

Alternatives were evaluated to eliminate failing septic systems in the Critical Area by either connecting to an existing wastewater treatment plant in the City of Cambridge, the Town of Trappe, or constructing a new wastewater treatment plant and utilizing point discharge. The PER also includes an examination of potential sewer line and force main alignments to facilitate connection of existing and future users.

The recommended course of action is construction of a new ENR wastewater treatment system with shellfish protection storage and emergency power, as well as an automatic dialing alarm system that will tie into the Talbot County Sanitary District. We also provided recommendations for TMDL compliance, nutrient credit trading opportunities, and discharge permit compliance strategies.

Fairbank and Bar Neck Septic Elimination and Preliminary Engineering

RAUCH inc. was retained by Talbot County to complete a Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) for extension of the County’s sanitary sewer services from the existing Tilghman Island sewer district to the Fairbank and Bar Neck village centers (two unincorporated rural villages in Talbot County). These villages were identified in the Talbot County Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan as a high priority for sewer service because of failing septic systems, poor soils, and high groundwater levels.

Many of the properties in Bar Neck and Fairbank have septic systems with drain fields that penetrate the groundwater, and a majority of the houses are within 500 feet of the adjacent Chesapeake Bay and Choptank River.

The PER evaluated options for the elimination of these septic systems by providing connection to the County’s regional, centralized wastewater treatment system. The report also included capital cost estimation, commissioning and training recommendations, life cycle analysis, and costs of operations and maintenance.