VILLAS – A resident noticed a lot of brownish water pouring out of what appeared to be a stormwater outfall pipe close to Fishing Creek, which forms part of the border between Lower and Middle townships.
On Wednesday, April 23, resident John Quinn wrote to the Herald and said, “I walk my dog every night on the beach. Today, as in weeks past, there is a discharge of some dirty water, not sure if it is sewage or rain drains.”
Quinn said the water does not have a bad odor, but he did notice a certain amount of sediment where it was draining. He said he also noticed a discharge on May 2.
The source of the water discharge could not be precisely determined. The water seems highly unlikely to be sewage, which is pumped to the Cape May County Municipal Utilities Authority for treatment. The Lower Township MUA handles sewage collection and potable water distribution for the township.
The Lower utility flushes hydrants every April, which can make water show up brown for a short period of time. The water Quinn identified appeared to be sludge-free, so the Herald was directed to the township’s Public Works Department.
Public Works said it was not pumping any stormwater. Lower Township Manager Mike Laffey said the county Department of Mosquito Control periodically pumps water from Fishing Creek for mosquito control purposes.
Ron Simone, the county assistant administrator, is currently overseeing the Department of Mosquito Control and said the watershed for Fishing Creek will accumulate surface water, which increases after it rains. The boundaries of the watershed are approximately Bayshore Road from Del Haven to Green Creek, Route 47 from Green Creek to the Wildwood pumping station, and Fulling Mill Road from Menz Restaurant back to Villas.
Simone said the watershed has a large diameter, with gravity flow outfall that is open and freely goes to Delaware Bay. However, the levels are such that water only flows when the tide is low, and the bulk of the water must be pumped as it accumulates. Simone said pumping is done as needed.
water level of Fishing Creek.
“It is not on a set schedule, but rather on a case-by-case basis in response to rain and water levels at the pumping station,” he said. “The pumps are a permanent installation that run on electricity. All water pumped through the system is clear/clean freshwater, with little to no runoff.”
On Monday, April 28, the Herald visited the outfall area, and the water where the discharge takes place has a color in places. It appears like water that is colored by decaying leaves. Quinn was concerned that the discolored water might be toxic to aquatic life and shore birds.
Contact the reporter, Christopher South, at [email protected] or call 609-886-8600, ext. 128.
