DNREC and the DHSS Division of Public Health are working with federal agencies to protect the environment and public health in Delaware from the effects of a group of synthetic chemicals known as PFAS.

---

The state of Delaware is offering no cost sampling of private drinking water wells to test for a list of possible contaminants, including PFAS.

---

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) include thousands of synthetic chemicals including PFOA, PFOS, and GenX. They have been used throughout the world in manufacturing, firefighting, and consumer products since the 1940s.

Delaware state agencies are working together and with partners to study PFAS in drinking water, PFAS in surface waters of the state and PFAS in wastewater systems in Delaware.

The state maintains a list of sites being investigated by DNREC for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water, groundwater or surface water in Delaware.

An online course, PFAs Explained: The Science and Solutions in Delaware, provides an overview of the issue and specific guidance for consumers, business owners, researchers and regulators. This interactive learning module provides a clear, plain-language overview of what PFAS are, why they matter and what Delaware is doing to better understand and address them.

If you are interested in learning more about PFAS or additional DNREC training opportunities, please contact dow_concerns@delaware.gov for more information.

Private Drinking Water Well Sampling

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), is sampling private drinking water wells in Delaware to test for a list of possible contaminants to help protect public health and the environment.

The contaminants to be tested for include per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), nitrate, nitrite, iron, fluoride, alkalinity, pH, chloride, sulfate, sodium, hardness, Escherichia coli (E. coli) and total coliform. There is no cost for sampling and analysis.

If you would like your private well to be sampled, please complete the Private Well Water Sampling Request and Consent Form.

Strategic Framework for Contaminants of Emerging Concern

DNREC, the Division of Public Health in DHSS and the Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) have released a Strategic Framework for Contaminants of Emerging Concern and a PFAS Implementation Plan.

The two documents establish a coordinated, science-based approach to identifying, assessing and reducing risks from a broad class of chemicals that threaten Delaware’s environment, drinking water, food supply and public health.

The documents were developed through a collaborative process involving the state agencies, legislators and local leaders. Guiding principles for both include meaningful stakeholder involvement, strategic prioritization of chemicals and actions based on risk and available resources, and an adaptive management approach that allows the state to respond to new science and emerging threats.

The Strategic Framework

The Strategic Framework for Contaminants of Emerging Concern establishes goals for contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), which are naturally occurring or human-made substances like PFAS, microplastics, pharmaceuticals and pesticides, that are present in the environment at levels that may pose risks to people and wildlife.

Many CECs lack established regulatory standards, making strategic prioritization and interagency coordination essential to effective action. The framework sets guiding principles, assigns agency roles, establishes performance indicators and commits the state to annual progress updates.

The Implementation Plan

The PFAS Implementation Plan is the first plan released under the Strategic Framework for CECs. It establishes goals for reducing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

The Implementation Plan documents key milestones in the state’s response to PFAS and outlines actions across six strategy areas:

• Protecting public health
• Assessing the sources and extent of PFAS contamination
• Eliminating sources and minimizing exposure
• Engaging the public and impacted communities
• Strengthening communications and outreach; and
• Ensuring emergency preparedness.

Each action in the plan identifies the responsible state agencies, a projected timeline and the rationale for prioritization.

Public Feedback Options

Feedback from the public about the Strategic Framework can be submitted to Delaware_CEC_Strategic_Framework@delaware.gov.

Feedback about the PFAS Implementation Plan can be submitted to Delaware_PFAS_Implementation_Plan@delaware.gov.

Delaware Residents’ Awareness of and Attitudes Toward PFAS

In 2025, DNREC conducted the state’s first survey to learn what Delawareans know about PFAS and how they feel about potential risks. The results of the survey show that while many residents are still learning about PFAS, some are already taking steps to reduce exposure. The findings will help DNREC and health partners share clear, science-based information so everyone can make informed choices for their families.

Read the full report: Delaware Residents’ Awareness of and Attitudes Toward PFAS

PFAS Contacts in Delaware State Government

---

Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control

Department of Health and Social Services

---

About PFAS

PFAS do not readily break down in the environment and can accumulate in living things. Some toxicological studies have found that exposure to these substances can cause serious health effects.

PFAS are considered “emerging contaminants” by federal environmental and public health regulators. A group of state and federal agencies are investigating PFAS, their sources, and their presence in the environment. This group includes DNREC, the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the US Geological Survey (USGS) and the CDC’s National Center for Environmental Health/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

In 2018, the DNREC Division of Waste and Hazardous Substances adopted a policy to define where sampling for PFAS may occur in groundwater and surface water within the state. In 2023, this policy was updated to include other media and add select PFAS as hazardous substances regulated under the Hazardous Substance Cleanup Act (HSCA), pertinent aspects of the addition, as well as expectations related to sampling and characterization of these emerging contaminants. (Learn more about the PFAS sampling policy update)

In April of 2024, the EPA adopted a rule to designate PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) known as Superfund. The designation allows the EPA to investigate and clean up releases of these substances into the environment. A companion policy also directs the EPA to focus on parties that have manufactured PFAS or used PFAS in their manufacturing process. Learn more the EPA PFAS cleanup rule or read the EPA’s PFAS Cleanup rule.

DNREC also lists PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances as well as six other PFAS compounds including:

• Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)
• Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA)
• Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS)
• Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA)
• Perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS)
• Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA, or GenX chemicals)

Related Topics:  drinking water, EPA, GenX, groundwater, Health and Safety, HSCA, PFAS, PFOA, superfund, waste and hazardous substances, water filtration, well