Snow Hill, MD — Worcester County Government has secured a $613,380 grant from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) to fund a lead service line replacement and cross-connection control project in the Newark Service Area.
“This project will modernize aging water infrastructure by replacing outdated and potentially lead-containing service lines along Newark Road and Langmaid Road and installing new meter pit setters equipped with dual check valves to prevent backflow,” Public Works Director Dallas Baker said.
The improvements are intended to address public health concerns associated with older piping materials and plumbing systems dating back to the 1970s, when the water system was originally installed. The project also includes connecting homes to an existing eight-inch PVC water main and abandoning deteriorated four-inch metal piping.
Once completed, the upgrades are expected to improve water quality, system reliability, and water pressure while ensuring compliance with current cross-connection control regulations designed to protect the public water supply from contamination.
The start of design work remains contingent upon final concurrence from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on the grant award.