Regarding the facility’s capacity and any potential “wear and tear,” Commissioner Bertino noted that the Ocean Pines Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is rated to handle 2.5 million gallons of wastewater per day. During the peak summer months, the plant processes around 1.0 million gallons per day, and Riddle contributes roughly 50,000 gallons daily without adversely affecting the plant’s operations. I guess no one thought that 5-8 tanker trucks speeding down Beauchamp Road, sometimes dripping effluent, was an adverse effect.

He also mentioned in this email that pumping and hauling are not long-term solutions. The County has iinvested $100,000 in designing upgrades for the Riddle WWTP to address the issue. The design is approximately 90% complete and was submitted to the Maryland Department of the Environment for a Construction Permit on May 26, 2023, pending their approval and comments. In addition, the County has secured a grant from the Department of Commerce to fund these improvements.

Despite these updates, and repeated requests, no one provided a specific figure for how much Ocean Pines is reimbursed. My own research revealed that hauling waste to Ocean Pines cost the County $219,553 in 2019, $119,066 in 2020, and $204,581 in 2021.  With this information, I researched how much Ocean Pines should be getting for 50,000 gallons a day.  I found that comparable communities charge between 2 and 6 cents per gallon for this type of wastewater. Considering our effluent characteristics, the relatively short distance for hauling, and the operation of five to eight tanker trucks, I believe Ocean Pines should receive 3 cents per gallon which I worked out to be approximately $547,500 per year.

Notably, Commissioner Bertino mentioned that once we no longer accept Glen Riddle’s waste, we would lose about $532,000 a year in revenue, which is very close to my calculated figure. Based on this information, I believe Ocean Pines is indeed owed money.