The Water Resource Problems of Delaware

Delaware has more than 2,509 miles of rivers and streams, and 2,954 acres of lakes and ponds that have been classified using the federal Clean Water Act's rating system of designated uses (such as drinking water supply, swimming, fishing, etc.). Delaware has promulgated surface water quality standards which are designed to protect the designated uses of each classified water body in the State.

While Delaware's rivers and streams generally meet the standards for their designated uses, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) has found that 79% do not support the swimming use and 62% do not support the fish and wildlife uses. The major causes of non-attainment of designated uses of Delaware's water resources are high levels of pathogenic bacteria, nutrient over-enrichment, toxics, and degradation of physical stream habitat. The majority of the water quality standard violations are due to nonpoint source pollution impacts.

Bacteria concentrations above the level considered acceptable for primary contact recreation are found in 79% of Delaware's rivers and streams, 40% of ponds and lakes and 16% of estuarine waters (excluding the Delaware River and Bay). Safe shellfish harvesting and consumption is also adversely impacted by high bacteria levels in many of Delaware's estuarine and tidal waters.

Nutrient over-enrichment of Delaware's water bodies is due to soil erosion, failing septic systems, and nutrient losses from land application of manure and fertilizer. Lowered dissolved oxygen levels and nuisance plant growth result from excess nutrients in Delaware's waterbodies.

Toxics, such as Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB's), dioxin, chlorinated benzenes and pesticides persist in the environment and accumulate in the flesh of fish. Several rivers and streams in Delaware, as well as the Delaware Bay, have fish consumption advisories due to toxics.

Finally, physical habitat of 87% of Delaware's nontidal perennial streams is degraded due to several factors including increases in impervious surfaces as a result of urban land uses in the Piedmont, and stream channelization to improve drainage on agricultural lands in the Coastal Plain. Physically degraded stream habitats generally have decreased shade, less channel stability, and a reduction in runoff filtering vegetation. Results of degradation of physical stream habitat include reduced aquatic life diversity and violations of water quality standards for dissolved oxygen and temperature.

Ground water in Delaware is impacted by nitrate contamination, particularly in the agricultural areas of Kent and Sussex counties. High nitrate levels in underground sources of drinking water are a potential health concern, as well as a source of nutrients to surface water. Synthetic organic compounds, such as cleaning solvents and degreasers have been detected in Delaware's gound water, primarily due to leaking underground strorage tanks, landfills, septic systems, chemical spills and leaks and abandoned hazardous waste sites. Elevated dissolved iron concentrations in well water and salt water intrusion are also ground water concerns for the State. The protection of the quality and quantity of the State's aquifers is a key concern, particularly given the fact that reliance on ground water for drinking water supplies has been increasing in Delaware.

Priority areas for overall water quality and quantity research and implementation in Delaware include: enhanced management and control of stormwater runoff, erosion and sediment, a better understanding of the sources, transport, fate and remediation of toxics, comprehensive management of agricultural nutrients and sources of pathogenic bacteria, increased understanding of the response of aquatic systems to specific pollutants, identification and protection of key aquifer recharge areas, better management of water supply and demand (including the financing of water supply infrastructures), treatment and disposal of on-site sewage, protection and restoration of wetlands and better understanding and prevention of saltwater intrusion to potable water supplies. Due to the development pressures in northern Delaware and the coastal resort areas, attention to these issues is essential to protect the State's water supply.

To learn more about these water resources concerns, including the water quality at Delaware's beaches and other recreational areas, click here, or contact the following Divisions of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC):

Division of Water Resources
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
820 Silver Lake Blvd., Suite 220
Dover, DE 19904-2464
Phone: (302) 739-4590

The Division of Soil and Water Conservation
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
89 Kings Highway
Dover, DE 19901
Phone: (302) 739-4403

For information on obtaining a copy of Delaware's 305(b) Water Quality Assessment Report, click here
The Delaware Water Resources Center (DWRC) at the University of Delaware is working to support research that will provide solutions to the State's priority water problems. To find out more about the wide range of water resource related research which has been supported by the DWRC, click here or contact:

Dr. Tom Sims, Director
Delaware Water Resources Center
113 Townsend Hall
University of Delaware
Newark, DE
19716-2103
e-mail: jtsims@udel.edu
phone: (302) 831-6757

Delaware's Drinking Water: Quality and Quantity

Drinking water suppliers now provide reports (sometimes called consumer confidence reports) that tell where drinking water comes from, and what contaminants may be in it. Read the report online.
or contact your water supplier to get a copy.
If your drinking water comes from a private well, you are responsible for your water's safety. EPA rules do not apply to private wells (although some state rules do), but EPA recommends that well owners have their water tested annually.
Contact your state to get a list of certified commercial laboratories that test drinking water.
To find out about the watershed that supplies your drinking water and how to protect it, click here.
If your water comes from a ground water source, read about Delaware's ground water quality click here.
For more information on Delaware's drinking water program, click here, or contact:

Division of Public Health
Delaware Health and Social Services
Blue Hen Corporate Center, Suite 203
655 Bay Road
Dover, DE 19901
Phone: 302-739-5410

Delaware's Source Water Protection Program provides for the assessment and protection of sources of public drinking water, both surface and ground water. The assessment consists of these critical steps: delineation of source water areas; identification of existing and potential sources of contamination; assessment of the susceptibility of the source water area to contamination. Senate Bill 119, signed into law during the summer of 2001 establishes a mechanism for protection of these source water areas through appropriate local land use ordinances.
For more information on Delaware's Source Water Protection Program, click here or contact:

Water Supply Section
Division of Water Resources
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
89 Kings Highway
Dover, DE 19901
Phone: 302-739-4860

In addition to DNREC, and the Division of Public Health, the Water Resources Agency of Delaware is actively involved in protecting and managing Delaware's drinking water supplies. The Water Resources Agency (WRA) is a cooperative program sponsored by the City of Newark, the City of Wilmington, New Castle County, and the State of Delaware at the University of Delaware. The WRA is a unit of the Institute for Public Administration in the College of Human Resources, Education, and Public Policy. The WRA provides services in water supply and water quality planning and management. The jurisdictions participating in WRA are represented on the Water Resources Board. Gerald J. Kauffman of the WRA is the governor appointed State Water Coordinator for Delaware. He can be reached at 302-831-4929 or through e-mail.
For more information on the Water Resources Agency click here or contact:

Water Resources Agency
Institute for Public Administration,CHEP
DGS Annex off Academy Street
University of Delaware
Newark, DE 19716
Phone: (302) 831-4925 Fax: (302) 831-4934

You may also contact EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline or 1-800-426-4791 for additional information.