SNOW HILL — Worcester officials last week agreed to help fund a study that could lead to Ocean Downs turning over its water supply to the county to help provide service for growing commercial development in the area.
Worcester is currently nearing the finish line in connecting the Casino at Ocean Downs to the county’s public sewer service from Ocean Pines. As a result, an opportunity has presented itself to allow the county to take over Ocean Downs’ water service and use the excess supply to serve other areas in the immediate area including Glen Riddle and the growing commercial developments on the south side of Route 50.
“We’re just now finishing the sewer connections for Ocean Downs from Ocean Pines,” Deputy Public Works Director John Ross told the County Commissioners on Tuesday. “As that project nears its end, there has been some discussion for public water service for Ocean Downs.”
A significant part of a potential agreement between the county and the casino and other entities on the property is the desire of Ocean Downs to turn over its water supply to Worcester as a part of, or in place of, the current equity buy-in program. Essentially, Ocean Downs currently has its own private water supply, but has expressed a desire to turn over the operation to the county, which could use any capacity the casino does not need for other uses in the area.
Ross explained the proposal makes sense for the county for several reasons. A significant commercial user like Ocean Downs could help stabilize the rates in Glen Riddle and surrounding areas and the additional water supply could help meet the future needs of the planned commercial development on the south side of Route 50.
“Ocean Downs would turn over its water supply to the county under this proposal and it could be very interesting for us,” said Ross. “Ocean Downs has very good water, while the water at Riddle Farm is not very good. We have to make some determinations, but the access water supply could serve some of those commercial areas. A consultant would have to determine how much it would cost, but we believe it could be a real asset and fairly easy to do.”
When asked what the benefit would be for Ocean Downs, Ross explained both the county and the casino stood to gain something from the proposal.
“They get out of the water business and would actually become our customer,” he said. “We have to find out what capacity is available above what Ocean Downs’ needs are from the aquifer. Ocean Downs would essentially just pay for their little piece and get a credit against that because they’re bringing their own water.”
At Ross’ request, the commissioners agreed to help fund a $14,000 study to explore the details of the proposal. Ocean Downs has agreed to fund the other half the study cost.