Recreational Water Illnesses 

DNREC monitors waterbodies commonly used for swimming and other recreational activities by testing for Enterococcus bacteria, a harmless bacteria found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals (including humans). While Enterococcus doesn’t cause illnesses, it serves as an indicator for pathogens, harmful bacteria and viruses that are also found in the intestine.

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Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Program

Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), also known as seagrass, bay grass or underwater grasses, is critical to the health of aquatic ecosystems. It provides habitat, food and nursery grounds for commercially and recreationally important fish and shellfish and helps improve water quality by trapping sediments, absorbing excess nutrients and mitigating shoreline erosion. [column

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Total Maximum Daily Loads and Advance Restoration Plans

When monitoring reveals that waterways do not meet Delaware’s water quality standards for their intended uses, as defined in Delaware’s Surface Water Quality Standards, they are added to a list of impaired waterways (Delaware’s 303(d) List). For each impaired waterway, the Federal Clean Water Act (CWA) requires states to develop Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)

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Swimming Advisory Caution

The DNREC Recreational Water Program monitors bacterial water quality at established sampling sites throughout the state from May through September. If bacterial sampling results exceed state standards, DNREC issues swimming advisories for Atlantic Ocean beaches, as well as for Delaware Bay beaches south of and including Lewes Beach and for Lake Como in Smyrna.

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Indian River Near Millsboro Beneficial Use Dredging Project

Work is ongoing to dredge the navigational channel along the Indian River, near Millsboro. The material dredged from the channel is used in a marsh enhancement project to restore a local wetland area.

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Wetland Assessment Map

The Wetland Monitoring and Assessment program publishes wetland health assessments of the health of Delaware’s wetlands at a watershed level. The map below provides basic information about the health of the wetlands in Delaware watersheds for which assessments are complete. Watersheds are shown in colors reflecting the overall health of the wetlands

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Vibrio Control Plans

Vibrio is a naturally occurring bacteria present in high levels in seawater when temperatures are warm. It can cause serious illness in humans. The National Shellfish Sanitation Program requires Delaware to implement plans to reduce the risk of Vibrio illnesses from oysters harvested in Delaware. Vibrio — Vibrio parahaemolyticus (V.p.) — can

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Blue-Green Algae in Delaware

Blue-green algae blooms may occur during warmer months in Delaware’s ponds, lakes and other slow-moving freshwater areas such as the upper parts of rivers. While there have been no reported illnesses in humans or animals in Delaware, blue-green algae blooms can have harmful effects, so it is important to be aware.

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Brandywine Watershed Wetland Assessment

The Brandywine watershed is located within New Castle County, where it encompasses 72,969 acres of land. This is the northernmost watershed in Delaware and is part of the Piedmont region. Though most of the Brandywine watershed is developed, this area contains Category One wetlands, which are unique and ecologically significant freshwater areas.

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Watershed Plans and Strategies

Numerous documents describing plans or strategies for water quality and watershed improvements have been developed over the years. Some of these efforts originated through the Tributary Action Team process while others came through other initiatives. All of the documents below can be considered watershed management plans for the Water Quality Improvement Projects grant program

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Pollution Control Strategies and Tributary Action Teams

A 1997 federal court case required Delaware to set pollution limits for its waterways. These limits are called Total Maximum Daily Loads or TMDLs, a term you will hear a lot in water pollution discussions. In order to meet these new pollution limits, we are identifying ways to reduce water pollution. Usually, citizens don’t get

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Integrated Report: 305(b) Report and 303(d) List

Section 305(b) of the Federal Clean Water Act requires that states and other entities prepare and submit Watershed Assessment Reports to the US EPA on April 1 of every even-numbered year.

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You Can Help Protect Delaware’s Waterways

There are always things that you can do in your everyday life, no matter where you live, to help protect the waterways that serve as our drinking water sources, habitat for wildlife, and places of recreation. Maintain a Healthy Lawn and Garden A healthy lawn and garden makes a

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Watershed Assessment and Management

The Watershed Assessment and Management Section oversees the health of the state’s surface water resources and takes actions to protect and improve water quality for aquatic life and human use.

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Whole Basin Management

Beginning in the 1990s, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) took a different approach to assessing, managing, and protecting Delaware’s natural resources. This approach, known as Whole Basin Management, encouraged the various programs throughout DNREC to work in an integrated manner to assess different geographic areas of the state defined on the

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Protecting Our Waterways

There are many things each of us can do to help reduce nutrient and sediment pollution entering Delaware’s waterways. Our efforts will not only help protect the environment, but in many cases, when you lend a hand to protect our waterways, you will also find that you’re adding beauty to your yard,

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Water Quality Monitoring

Delaware’s bays, ponds, streams, and rivers are monitored on a regular basis to assess the quality of Delaware’s surface waters. Much of the monitoring is done by DNREC, though other groups, including federal agencies, academic institutions, and citizen volunteer monitoring programs, also contribute to these efforts.

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Inland Bays Pollution Control Strategy

The Inland Bays Pollution Control Strategy (PCS) and accompanying regulations were finalized in Nov. 2008. This strategy is designed to improve the water quality of the bays (Rehoboth Bay, Indian River Bay, and Little Assawoman Bay), as well as the rivers, streams, and ponds that drain to the bays. ADVISORY: A

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Surface Water Quality Standards

The National Clean Water Act of 1972 set in place a program that is intended to restore the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters. To reach these goals, a series of steps were mandated by Congress for the Environmental Protection Agency and the individual States to take. The first step was for

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Shellfish Plant Inspections

Plant inspections of all shellfish shippers and processors are conducted routinely by certified Shellfish Program staff to ensure compliance with national food safety regulations and those specific to the shellfish industry. Andrew Bell Environmental Scientist 302-739-9939

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Promoting Shellfish Safety

To ensure the safety of Delaware’s shellfish growing areas, it is important that residents and visitors help maintain good water quality and limit pollution while recreating in or near shellfish growing areas.

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Delaware Shellfish Program

The DNREC Shellfish Program is responsible for protecting public health by minimizing the risk of food borne illness due to the consumption of shellfish. Growing Waters and Plant Inspections Andrew Bell Environmental Scientist 302-739-9939 Enforcement Natural Resources Police

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Information About Vibrio Bacteria

Vibrio are bacteria that occur naturally in Delaware’s brackish and marine waters, especially during warm weather months. Vibrio are a normal part of the marine ecosystem, not the result of pollution. Vibrio infections are relatively rare in Delaware and nationwide. Individuals considered at-risk for serious Vibrio infection include small children, senior citizens, and people with

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What is a Red Tide?

“Red Tide” is the common term for a particular type of harmful algal bloom made up of large concentrations of toxic red dinoflagellates called Karenia brevis (K. Brevis). These are tiny red-colored, naturally-occurring aquatic microorganisms which, in sufficient concentrations, can cause a reddish tint to the water. At very high concentrations, they can cause toxic

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Recreational Water Monitoring

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control monitors waterbodies commonly used for swimming and other recreational activities to provide the public with guidance about water quality.

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