A new statewide survey from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) finds that while many Delawareans are still learning about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals,” a meaningful share of residents are aware of the issue and taking steps to reduce exposure.

PFAS are human-made chemicals used for decades in products such as non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, food packaging and firefighting foams. Because they do not break down easily, PFAS can build up in the environment and in people over time.

The “Delaware Residents’ Awareness of and Attitudes Toward PFAS” survey, conducted by research firm Responsive Management, gathered responses from more than 1,200 adults across New Castle, Kent and Sussex counties to better understand residents’ knowledge of PFAS, their concerns about exposure and possible behavior changes.

Key findings include:

• Many Delawareans are unaware of PFAS. Only about one-third of residents (33%) say they are confident or think they know what PFAS are, while nearly half (45%) have never heard of PFAS at all.
• Greater share of Delawareans say they know about PFAS than in national survey. In the comparison to a 2023 national survey, Delaware’s survey shows a similar “never heard” share (45%), but a larger informed segment: 18% “think” they know and 16% “confident” for a combined “think/confident” of about 33% — roughly 10 points higher than the national 23.4%.
• Drinking water is top concern. About one-third of Delawareans (32%) are very or extremely concerned about PFAS in drinking water, while another 39% are somewhat concerned.
• There is limited familiarity with exposure sources. Fewer than one-quarter of residents recognize everyday PFAS sources such as cookware, food packaging or firefighting foam.
• Some residents have already taken action. Despite low awareness overall, a substantial number of Delawareans who do know about PFAS have started changing their behavior to reduce exposure. About 27% of respondents said they already use filtered or bottled water due to PFAS concerns and 26% have replaced or stopped using non-stick cookware.
• Government and health experts are trusted messengers. Delawareans are most likely to trust DNREC, health professionals, scientists and universities for accurate PFAS information.

“This survey shows many Delawareans are not yet familiar with PFAS, but we’re encouraged by those who are learning about it and what it means for them,” said DNREC Secretary Greg Patterson. “DNREC scientists and environmental experts are working with state and federal partner agencies on PFAS research, sampling and regulation in order to find where PFAS may exist at high levels, where it needs to be addressed immediately to protect public health and how we can reduce the ways it reaches people. And our focus is also on ensuring every Delawarean has access to clear, science-based information to make the choices that are right for their families.”

DNREC will use the findings to expand public education and outreach on PFAS through its website at de.gov/pfas, future community meetings and collaboration with health and environmental partners.

To learn more about PFAS in Delaware, read the latest article in Outdoor Delaware, “How the First State is Tackling Toxic Forever Chemicals.”

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Waste and Hazardous Substances ensures Delaware’s wastes are managed to protect human life, health, safety and the environment. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

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DNREC is launching new online dashboards, including the septic permit information display above, that will enable users to check
the status of permit applications, view their place in the review queue and retrieve issued permit documents /Delaware DNREC graphic

Interactive Dashboards Provide Updated Information on Water
Permit Applications, Place in Review Queue and Document Retrieval

Homeowners, contractors and the public now have an easier way to access information about several environmental permits obtained from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. New interactive dashboards from the DNREC Division of Water will enable users to check the status of applications, view their place in the review queue and retrieve issued permit documents.

“Improving the way DNREC handles permits is a priority for Gov. Meyer and for me, and the Division of Water especially has been working hard on tools and process improvements to help with that,” Secretary Greg Patterson said. “This is just part of our permitting improvement efforts, with more to come.”

Permit dashboards now available from the DNREC Division of Water for some of the most high volume permits it handles include:

• Well permits
• Septic permits
• Septic system site evaluations
• Septic system inspections (Class H)

“The new dashboards make permit tracking transparent and accessible to everyone,” said Steve Smailer, director of the DNREC Division of Water. “Providing the status of new applications and giving 24/7 access to over 400,000 historic permit documents not only helps to better inform the public, but it also lets our staff focus on reviewing those permits and getting them out the door.”

Permit dashboards under development include:

• Wetlands and Waterways Section permits, including wetlands permits, subaqueous permits, subaqueous land leases, jurisdictional determinations, marinas and more
• Commercial & Governmental Services permits, including Water Allocations permits

The new system is part of DNREC’s broader effort to modernize data access and improve how the Department communicates with the public. As it launches, the Division of Water also is actively working to update many of its other permitting programs so that the data and documents for those permit types can be added as well.

The Division of Water dashboards can be accessed on DNREC’s website at dnrec.delaware.gov/water/digital-resources. For more information about ease of use in accessing DNREC permitting information, see the Delaware DNREC YouTube video below.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Environmental Finance team administers Delaware’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund, making funding available to municipalities, the private sector, nonprofit organizations and individuals.  The DNREC Division of Water manages and protects Delaware’s water resources. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

Media Contact: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov; 

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Spring-Summer Rainfall Recharges State’s Water Supply and Reservoirs

Acting on guidance from the State’s Water Supply Coordinating Council (WSCC) and the Governor’s Drought Response Committee, Governor Matt Meyer today lifted Delaware’s drought watch almost 10 months after it went into effect due to prolonged drought conditions brought on by low precipitation levels throughout the state in 2024.

The WSCC, chaired by Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Greg Patterson, recommended that the drought watch be lifted after confirming that precipitation, soil moisture, streamflow and groundwater levels have returned to normal seasonal conditions, particularly in New Castle County.

“Lifting the drought watch is welcome news after nearly a year of dry conditions, and I want to thank every Delawarean who did their part to conserve water,” said Governor Matt Meyer. “With rainfall returning to normal, our state is in a much stronger position heading into the fall. While water conditions have improved, we should carry forward the lesson that water is one of our most precious natural resources, and it’s up to all of us to use it wisely.”

The drought watch was declared by then-Gov. John Carney in late October 2024, at a time when the state’s reservoirs and water supplies typically get a recharge after heavy spring and summer use. Instead, six straight months of below-normal precipitation led to the drought watch which continued well into 2025 as rainfall for Delaware was below average for much of the state during the first half of the year. Only after several months of above-average rainfall – which continued into June and was topped by frequent thunderstorms and weeks of almost nightly rainfall in July – did the WSCC convene and vote to recommend that Gov. Meyer lift the drought watch.

In making the recommendation, the council – whose membership comprises the State Climatologist’s Office, DNREC, the Delaware Department of Agriculture, the Delaware Division of Public Health, the Delaware Geological Survey, the Delaware River Basin Commission and others, noted that rainfall for July was almost 5.2 inches, or an inch above normal for the state at this time of year.

“The continuous monitoring that has gone on since last fall has shown conditions gradually improve as a result of constant rainfall this year, which finally made up for the very long dry spell people may remember from last summer,” said Secretary Patterson. “While water conservation is always a good practice, we are finally out of the indicators of a possible drought.”

Department of Agriculture Secretary Don Clifton expressed how the recent spike in rainfall came at an ideal time for getting Delaware agribusiness beyond what was a worrisome drought watch for farmers across the state: “Recent rainfall events have helped recharge the soil and groundwater reserves we rely on for agriculture,” he said. “That has put our farmers in a much better position as we head into the height of the growing season.”

While the drought watch was in effect, WSCC membership, particularly from the University of Delaware Center for Environmental Monitoring & Analysis, Delaware Geological Survey and DNREC, collaborated on a new website for monitoring drought conditions in the state in almost real time. Delaware’s Drought Resources and Awareness website provides updates on a regular basis as drought conditions persist, with reporting that includes precipitation measurements by county and municipality, and what those levels represent for Delaware as drought conditions persist.

The site also includes links to DGS Water Conditions Report, the US Drought Monitor, and Delaware’s Water Supply Coordinating Council, which is charged with planning and managing Delaware water supplies to ensure they can meet peak demand during times of water shortage. For more information about water conservation and drought preparedness, visit de.gov/drought or explore the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Water manages and protects Delaware’s water resources.
For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

Media contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov

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The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and the Kent County Levy Court have signed a Conciliation Order by Consent that resolves past wastewater treatment and sanitary sewer overflow violations and requires the County to enhance wastewater infrastructure, improve operational reliability and safeguard Delaware’s waterways.

The Consent Order addresses compliance challenges and wastewater permit violations documented from 2017 to the present at Kent County’s Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility in Milford and throughout the County’s collection system. These challenges included:

• Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs) from deteriorating infrastructure and during heavy rain events;
• Effluent discharge exceedances involving bacteria and suspended solids;
• Maintenance and operational issues at the treatment plant.

Under the agreement, Kent County is required to complete a multi-year series of corrective actions with oversight from DNREC’s Division of Water. The actions are designed to reduce the risk of future violations, protect public health and improve water quality in the Murderkill River and its tributaries.

Key Corrective Actions

These actions include:

• Biosolids Capacity Expansion Project to improve solids management;
• Grit system upgrades;
• UV disinfection upgrades;
• Backup generator installations at priority pump stations;
• Comprehensive pipeline condition assessment;
• Engineering evaluations of County and municipal collection systems to address infiltration and inflow (I&I);
• Quarterly progress reports to DNREC.

These projects will enhance the treatment plant’s performance, reduce overflows and improve compliance with state and federal water quality standards.

Penalties and Environmental Investments

As part of the agreement, Kent County will pay a $400,000 administrative penalty. Half of that amount will be directed to the State of Delaware, while the remaining $200,000 will fund a Supplemental Environmental Project – I&I Fund to support projects to reduce infiltration and inflow into non-county owned municipal sewer systems due to stormwater contributions and elevated groundwater conditions. The fund will support targeted infrastructure improvements and environmental offsets to address source reduction and pollution prevention.

Background

Kent County’s wastewater system serves residents within the County and processes flows from multiple municipalities, including Dover, Smyrna, Milford, Harrington, Clayton and Camden-Wyoming. Many of these municipal systems are decades old, contributing stormwater and groundwater infiltration that can overwhelm treatment capacity during severe weather events.

In April 2022, a major rainstorm contributed to a discharge of partially treated wastewater into The Gut, a tributary of the Murderkill River. That major event and dozens of other overflow and incidents underscored the need for coordinated long-term solutions for wastewater compliance by the County.

Statements from Both Parties

“Kent County is committed to modernizing our wastewater system and protecting the health of our waterways,” said President Joanne Masten, Kent County Levy Court. “This agreement reflects our dedication to working with DNREC to achieve lasting solutions.

“This Consent Order provides a clear roadmap for corrective action and measurable improvements in Kent County’s wastewater system, providing stronger safeguards for Delaware’s water resources,” said DNREC Secretary Gregory Patterson.

The Consent Order will remain in effect until all corrective actions are completed, with provisions allowing for DNREC oversight, collaboration and enforcement through January 1, 2030.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

About Kent County Levy Court
The Kent County Levy Court serves as the County’s governing body, providing essential public services and infrastructure for residents and communities across Kent County, Delaware.