Pages Tagged With: "clean water"
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
The Clean Water Trust Oversight Committee oversees the Delaware Clean Water Trust and works to coordinate state programs that impact the quality of the State’s water resources. It serves in an advisory capacity to the Governor and the General Assembly.
The state has developed a list of communities in need as part of the Delaware Clean Water Initiative for Underserved Communities. These are communities that have lacked technical or financial capacity to address demonstrated public health and clean water challenges.
The Delaware Clean Water Initiative for Underserved Communities, or CWI, will help provide clean public drinking water and upgraded wastewater treatment for the state’s low-income, underserved communities. The Initiative is supported by a $50 million investment, the Clean Water Trust, created by the Clean Water for Delaware Act.
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
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
When monitoring reveals that waterways do not meet Delaware’s water quality standards, they are reported on a list of impaired waterways (303(d) List). For each impaired waterway, the Federal Clean Water Act (CWA) requires states to develop Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for the pollutants of concern. A TMDL sets a limit on the amount
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.
Watershed Assessment 302-739-9939
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 home more
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.
Steve Williams Environmental Program Administrator 302-739-9939
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
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, saving energy,
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.
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 legal challenge
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
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.
Michael Bott Environmental Scientist
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
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 Michael Bott Environmental Scientist 302-739-9939 Plant Inspections
The DNREC Division of Water offers online application submission through the Digital DNREC ePermitting system.
Contact Us
Div. of Water Licensing 302-739-9116
All Division of Water licenses can be applied for online. Permit applications
Vibrio are bacteria that occur naturally in brackish waters such as the Delaware Bay, the Inland Bays and tributaries, especially during warm weather months. Vibrio infections are relatively rare in Delaware and nationwide. However, when Vibrio or other bacteria come into contact with an open wound, they can cause serious infections. Vibrio infections can be
The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control monitors recreational waters to ensure their quality for swimming and other recreational uses. The Department tests for Enterococcus bacteria, which indicate the presence of other potentially harmful bacteria and viruses. The results of these tests are available online and though an email alert system.
The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) has established an online tool to help those covered by Delaware’s general NPDES permits meet their reporting requirements under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).
General NPDES Permits
DNREC is seeking comments on, and data related to, the Draft Assessment and Listing Methodologies for Delaware’s 2020 Combined Watershed Assessment Report (305(b)) and Determination for the Clean Water Act Section 303(d) List of Waters Needing TMDLs.
The DNREC Nonpoint Source Program is soliciting proposals for implementation project funding for federal fiscal year 2020 under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act.
A listing of applications to the DNREC Groundwater Discharges Section for Non-Hazardous Liquid Waste Transporters Permits.
The DNREC Surface Water Discharges Section will conduct a public meeting on Veolia North America’s permit application for a distribution and marketing permit for Class A/Exceptional Quality biosolids generated at the City of Wilmington Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Surface Water Discharges Section will conduct a public hearing (Docket #2019-P-W-0023) on Clean Delaware, LLC.’s permit application for an amendment of its existing agricultural utilization permit.
Schell SPE, LLC proposes to construct a submersible sanitary sewer pump station and approximately 2,350 linear feet of six inch diameter force main to serve 152 single family lots, a clubhouse and a pool in the proposed Marsh Island Subdivision and 80 future equivalent dwelling units to be located on adjacent lands.
A list of permit, lease, water quality, and letter of authorization applications to the Wetlands and Subaqueous Lands Section.
McKee Run Generating Station has applied for reissuance of its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit to discharge storm water to the McKee Run, a tributary to the Saint Jones River.
Baltimore Aircoil Company, Inc. has applied for reissuance of its National Pollutant Discharge System Permit to discharge storm water associated with industrial activity to Lednum Branch, a tributary of Haven Lake, from their facility at 1162 Holly Hill Road, in Milford.
Clean Delaware has requested several amendments to their existing agricultural utilization permit that allows land treatment of stabilized biosolids other approved land treatable wastes onto three non-contiguous farms near Milton, Harbeson, and Ellendale.
A listing of applications to the Groundwater Discharges Section for a Spray Irrigation Permit, an On-Site Wastewater Treatment and Disposal System Permit, and a Non-Hazardous Liquid Waste Transporters Permit.
Bilcare Research, Inc. has applied for reissuance of its National Pollutant Discharge System (NPDES) Permit to discharge storm water to the Delaware River and to unnamed tributary to Dragon Run Creek from their facility located at 1389 School House Road in New Castle County.
SAW, Inc. has applied for reissuance of its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit to discharge treated wastewater, freezer defrosting water, non-contact cooling water and storm water to a Pepper Ditch. SAW, Inc. is located at 316 N. Race Street, in Georgetown.
The DNREC Division of Water will hold a public hearing on October 1 regarding an application by Delmarva Power & Light for a Subaqueous Lands permit to install a 16-inch diameter, 482 foot long electric power distribution line at a minimum depth of 20 feet below the mudline of White’s Creek.
Oa-BP Marina Bay-Lakeside, LLC has requested an allocation permit for one proposed agricultural well and eleven existing agricultural wells located east of Millsboro in Sussex County.
Wellesley Partners, LLC proposes to construct a sanitary sewer pump station and approximately 1,900 linear feet of force main to serve 131 single family lots and a pool house in the proposed Wellesley Subdivision and 450 future equivalent dwelling units on adjacent lands on the south side of Warrington Road, east of Route 24, and north of Rehoboth Beach.
A listing of applications for permits and leases from the Wetlands and Subaqueous Lands Section.
A listing of applications for permits to construct on-site wastewater treatment and disposal systems.
Scotton’s Sanitation LLC has applied for a renewal of Non-Hazardous Liquid Waste Transporters Permit DE WH-420 which allows for the transport of septage, holding tank waste, grease trap/cooking oil waste and portable toilet waste to be disposed of at the New Castle County Sewer System and Kent County Sewer System.
A listing of applications for permits and leases from the Wetlands and Subaqueous Lands Section.
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery of Milton requested renewal of their existing agricultural utilization permit which authorizes the surface application of limited quantities of brewery vessel wash down water onto approximately 88 acres of farmland, located near the Town of Milton.
The Town of Laurel has applied for a renewal and modification of its public water allocation which serves approximately 4,000 people in Sussex County.
Greenville Country Club has applied for reissuance of its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit to discharge treated sanitary wastewater from Greenville Country Club located at 201 Owl’s Best Road to a tributary of Red Clay Creek.
The Chemours Company FC, LLC of Wilmington, has applied for a permit to build two Fluoro Testing Lab wastewater treatment units inside the Chemours Discovery Hub, on the University of Delaware STAR Campus, in Newark.
A listing of applications to the Groundwater Discharges Section for Rural Area Waivers and Formal Waivers of requirements of the groundwater discharges regulations.
Beebe Medical Center, Inc. proposes to construct a submersible sanitary sewer pump station and approximately 1,640 linear feet of force main to serve a four-story, 136,000 square foot surgical hospital to be located on the northeast side of Warrington Road just south of the intersection with the John J. Williams Highway (Rt. 24) near Rehoboth Beach.
A listing of applications for renewal of a non-hazardous waste transporters permit and for temporary holding tank permits.
A listing of recent applications for wetlands and subaqueous lands permits and leases.
