SALISBURY, MD – Wicomico County Executive Julie Giordano today announced that the Maryland Water Infrastructure Financing Administration (MWIFA) has selected the Wicomico County Septic Elimination and Salisbury Sewer Extension Project for funding under the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2025 Water Quality State Revolving Fund (WQSRF) Intended Use Plan (IUP).
The County has been approved for a total of $8,568,657 in potential financing, including both loan funding and principal forgiveness to advance one of the region’s most significant water infrastructure efforts. The funding components include:
$5,568,653 through the FFY 2025 WQSRF Base Loan Program
$500,004 in loan principal forgiveness
$2,500,000 in principal forgiveness through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) General Supplemental funds
“This investment represents another major step forward in Wicomico County’s commitment to safeguarding water quality, expanding sewer service, and eliminating aging or failing septic systems,” said County Executive Giordano. “By combining low-interest financing with strategic loan forgiveness, we’re making this crucial infrastructure more feasible and sustainable for our community.”
To carry out the design and engineering for the project, the County has retained KCI Technologies, Inc., a multidisciplinary engineering and consulting firm with expertise in water, environmental, and civil infrastructure projects. KCI will lead the technical design, environmental compliance, and permitting efforts for the sewer extension and septic elimination work.
The Septic Elimination and Salisbury Sewer Extension Project is structured to reduce nutrient pollution entering local waterways and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay by connecting current septic users to public sewer service. Construction is required to begin by December 2026, in keeping with the County’s approved schedule.
While MWIFA’s selection does not yet constitute a final loan commitment, it positions Wicomico County for final funding approval contingent upon completion of programmatic requirements, Maryland Board of Public Works review, and formal acceptance by the Wicomico County Council.
Executive Giordano expressed confidence that Council approval will not be an obstacle, noting that the Council has long acknowledged the importance of advancing the County’s Water and Sewer Master Plan. “This project aligns with the shared goals of public health, environmental stewardship, and infrastructure resilience. I am optimistic that the Council will support its swift advancement so we can move into implementation without delay,” she stated.
Interest rates will be set at loan closing, with disadvantaged community rates expected between 0.90% and 1.00%, and standard rates between 1.90% and 2.50%, depending on market conditions.
MWIFA observed that demand for SRF financing remains exceptionally high statewide, reinforcing the need for prompt compliance and project readiness. The County will continue its close coordination with MWIFA, the Maryland Department of the Environment, and other partners to satisfy requirements and prepare for construction.
“This project exemplifies effective collaboration among local, state, and federal stakeholders,” Giordano added. “I thank the Maryland Department of the Environment, MWIFA leadership, our engineering teams at KCI, and all County divisions for their dedication to advancing this vision.”
So what is happening is that idiot school teacher at the GOB is literally giving Wicomico County away to the City of Salisbury. That money should be used for Wicomico County to open their own water and sewer department. Instead, Wicomico County taxpayers are going to be forced into the city limits through annexation thanks to Julie Giordano!!
We the citizens want our own water and sewer in Wicomico County! We do NOT want to be annexed into Salisbury. We do NOT want to pay double taxes. We do NOT want to pay water and sewer hook up fees to Salisbury.
More than anything we do NOT want Julie Giordano as our County Executive. Resign Julie, Resign!
For now, the best option is to use extension of city sewer.
While a full county solution is needed that solution will come at a freaking high price and no county resident is willing to pay for that!
Extending city water or sewer will NOT annex you into the city. Trust me, I’m in the county and get city water and have my own septic (for over 30 years). I only pay for the water I use with no city taxes. The same situation would happen for county residents who need to hook up for sewer only – they’d pay for sewer only – no other city taxes.
Sadly, this will be the only solution for many county residents as their septics are too old and failing.
Stop crying about sh!t you don’t know about and face reality, sh!t rolls down hill, send it to the city!!!
I call BS! oh where to begin, wasnt kci involved in the last upgrade that never worked? the wicomico is as filthy as it’s ever been. Continual overflows? We are already literally paying for the shit that comes out of Baltimore, this is just more government jammed down our throats by so called leaders who are all looking how it’s gonna make them money at some point! yeah I want corrupt self serving hacks to decide what I should or shouldnt do! piss off!