The state Board of Public Works agreed last week to secure funding for the Salisbury-Wicomico Regional Airport’s Water Main Extension Project.

Through a combination of grants and a low-interest loan, Wicomico County will receive $4.4 million toward the project, according to County Executive Bob Culver.

More than 6 miles of 12-inch pipe will be laid from the Wor-Wic Community College water tower to the flight facility, to provide water where quality is now sub-standard.

Heavy metals such as copper and lead have been found in the water there, so the county applied for state funding for the project and was top ranked.

The project is a partnership with the city of Salisbury, which owns the water tower on Walston Switch Road.

Reliable water will also help with providing enhanced fire protection to the area and increase development potential of the airport’s business park. 

Culver said the project could not become a reality without the support of the Board of Public Works, Mayor Jake Day and his staff, as well as the Maryland Department of Environment. 

A county’s budget proposal from 2017 included about $300,000 for engineering design and any easements that might need to be acquired.

Airport Manager Dawn Veatch has said having pressurized water will allow future construction of state-of-the-art hangars for jet craft.