Milton officials have introduced language with its zoning ordinance that would prevent wastewater spray irrigation in town except for lands that are zoned for agriculture.

Town Manager Kristy Rogers said town code is silent on the topic. If passed as is, spray irrigation of wastewater effluent would not be allowed within town limits except for agricultural uses approved by Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.

The ordinance would not affect spray fields owned by Artesian Water Co. and Clean Delaware; Rogers said both are outside town limits.

The town zoning code already calls for no effluent discharge into water bodies within town that violates DNREC standards, causes odor or is injurious to plant, human or animal life. Tidewater Utilities disposes of effluent from its wastewater treatment plant into the Broadkill River but that effluent is monitored by DNREC.