ANNAPOLIS, MD (September 20, 1999) – A project to drill a new deep water supply well to solve water supply and iron content problems in Worton, Kent County, received approval last Wednesday from the Board of Public Works of a $73,500 grant.

"Water is one of our most precious resources, and we have an obligation to ensure that every community has an adequate and healthy water supply," said Governor Parris N. Glendening. "By drilling this new deep water supply, we are making a long-term investment to ensure that current and future Worton residents have access to safe and clean drinking water."

All three of the community’s wells have experienced severe decreases in production due to iron encrustation and bacteria. One well is so encrusted that its yield has been reduced to less than eight gallons-per-minute (gpm) and has had to be shut down. The other two wells, though not as severely impacted, have lost between 25-33 percent of their original yields. The new, deeper well is expected to yield 150-200 gpm, reduce the iron content and prevent surface water intrusion.

"This new well is very important to the village of Worton," said Kent County Sanitary District Managing Director Wayne Morris. "The new well will be able to provide greater yields plus possibly lower the iron concentration and thus reduce operating costs."

Chaired by Governor Glendening, the Board of Public Works also is comprised of Comptroller William Donald Schaefer and Treasurer Richard N. Dixon. The Board is empowered by the General Assembly to approve major construction and consultant contracts, equipment purchases, property transactions and other procurement actions.

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