Artesian Water Company
Making Every Drop Count

Technology and associated advancements are evolving at an unprecedented pace. However, this euphoria masks a harsh truth. While this evolution has changed industries and businesses globally, the world of wastewater treatment since the invention of sludge treatment in 1909 has not changed much. The wastewater treatment technology continues to operate on the same principles that it was invented in Victorian England. In reality, the drivers and issues we need to address with the age-old technology are not the same anymore. Let’s face it: wastewater management needs a fundamental change.

Artesian Water Company was born to bring in this change.

As the principal subsidiary of Artesian Resources Corp. [NASDAQ: ARTNA], and the oldest and largest regulated water utility on the Delmarva Peninsula, Artesian Water Company is ushering in a new perspective on wastewater management. When the COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted public health and the worldwide economy and is eventually leading to potential health risks via waterborne and aerosolized wastewater pathways, Artesian Water Company is debunking the conventional wastewater treatment methodologies. The mission then was “to provide the best quality water and the best customer service,” Artesian Water Company is a name to reckon with in the water business. Artesian is the eighth largest investorowned water utility in the U.S. by total capitalization.

At the core, Artesian specializes in economically providing high-quality, reliable water. The total water resource management company focuses on a broad spectrum of activities, which include identifying new and dependable sources of water supply; developing wells, treatment plants and delivery systems to get water to customers; educating customers on the wise use of water; and providing responsible wastewater management to assist with recharge of the aquifers.

Today, catering to over 301,000 people, Artesian takes immense pride in supplying over 8.3 billion gallons of water per year through more than 1,368 miles of water mains. The company operates through 72 treatment facilities that collectively have a storage capacity of 174 million gallons. The company’s water service territory spanning 298 square miles and wastewater service territory of 30 square miles provides diverse water- and wastewater-related services to several municipalities.

For wastewater management, Artesian, in partnership with public entities, navigates developers through the different phases of planning, design, permitting and installation of the wastewater management system. The services for evaluation and development coordination (for both regional and on-site facilities) involve designing standards for on-site collection and transmission systems, technical assistance for wastewater infrastructure, and more. The company also guide developers through pumping and transmission system design and permitting, wastewater system plan review and approval, service agreements, coupled with inspection of wastewater system installation and lateral connections. The regional wastewater management capabilities cover evaluations on transmission, treatment and disposal capacity and infrastructure extension capacity. Developers are also facilitated with design, permitting and construction management of wastewater treatment and disposal facilities, regional transmission system extensions, and pressure booster stations.

We Share The Same Commitment To Protecting The Viability Of This Important Industry As We Do To Protection Of The Environment

Lastly, Artesian’s on-site wastewater treatment and disposal development services encompass on-site investigations, feasibility soils evaluations and state feasibility determinations. The experts at Artesian also help with Detailed Soils Investigation Reports (DSIR), Preliminary Groundwater Impact Assessment (PGIA), and Geo-hydrologic Investigations – Groundwater Mounding Analysis (GMA).

Demonstrating Consistent Excellent Performance

In what has been a proper validation of success, Artesian now treats, processes, and disposes of over 450 million gallons of wastewater annually as the Operator for the Town of Middletown. An ambitious bid to support and encourage the use of reclaimed water and reduce the utilization of pumped groundwater for agricultural irrigation and other needs, such as irrigating parks and golf courses, Artesian operates a 2.5 mgd wastewater treatment facility for Middletown, along with a second wastewater treatment facility in the community of Frog Hollow in the town. This impressive partnership has yielded long-lasting benefits for farmers who can now leverage nearly 3 million gallons per day of irrigation water during peak season instead of pumping the local groundwater. Reclaimed water saves local groundwater, leading to a significant reduction in nutrients in rivers, streams, and the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays, making farming more environmentally friendly and financially viable.

In yet another case, Artesian scripted a success story for the Stonewater Creek Community Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) near Millsboro. The Stonewater Creek WWTF leverages state-of-the-art systems for the collection, treatment and disposal of local wastewater sources and follows land application techniques to recharge aquifers through the disposal process. However, the rising groundwater nitrate levels (averaged 15 parts per million) was a concern. Today, backed by Artesian’s wealth of experience and expertise, the community has experienced proven success and verifiable results, with nitrate levels in groundwater now being below six parts per million.

Recently, Artesian commenced operation of its Sussex Regional Water Recharge Facility. In collaboration with Allen Harim, this project will allow the latter to meet its regulatory permit requirement to cease wastewater discharge to the Beaverdam Creek at its Harbeson, Delaware plant. “We are pleased with how our team committed to upholding the integrity of this project and worked diligently for a successful conclusion. We feel strongly that the Poultry and Egg Production Industry is a driving force in Sussex County’s economy and highly valuable to the communities Artesian loyally serves across the Delmarva Peninsula. We share the same commitment to protecting the viability of this important industry as we do to protection of the environment,” says Dian C. Taylor, Chair and CEO of Artesian.

Before installing this facility, wastewater was discharged into Sussex County’s inland bays and streams, where it could potentially have detrimental impacts on local communities and the environment. “Through Artesian’s wastewater treatment process, we are removing a major point-source of stream discharge from Beaverdam Creek, and ultimately the Broadkill River Watershed. Operations at our SRRF facility, in conjunction with local businesses, is a prime example of how private investment can be used to improve surface and groundwater quality,” adds Taylor.