Virtual Community Workshop Scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 17

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), in conjunction with the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), will begin soliciting for new water quality improvement projects Wednesday, Jan. 17 as DNREC and DPH start to develop 2024 Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) project priority lists. Projects must be listed on the CWSRF and DWSRF project priority lists to be considered for funding.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) passed by Congress and signed by President Biden in 2022 boosted funding for clean water and drinking water projects across the country, with those funds provided through the existing State Revolving Fund (SRF) process.

Notices of Intent for SRF wastewater, drinking water, stormwater, and related infrastructure projects must be received by DNREC Environmental Finance by close of business at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 16.

DNREC will hold a State Revolving Loan Fund virtual community workshop at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17 offering a detailed overview of the CWSRF and DWSRF programs. Attendees will get guidance on requesting financial assistance for wastewater and drinking water infrastructure project needs. Pre-registration for the virtual workshop is required.

Workshop attendees also will learn how SRF programs administered by DNREC Environmental Finance can provide a wide range of financial assistance. It will review the one-stop loan application process for wastewater and drinking water infrastructure project assistance, including new funding available under the BIL:

• Supplemental funding available to address emerging contaminants and lead service line replacement
• Additional subsidies to disadvantaged communities for water infrastructure projects

The workshop also will cover information about planning tools to assist SRF applicants with:

• Wastewater, drinking water and surface water matching planning grants
• Asset management planning grants
• Project planning advances
• Planning and design loans

Additionally, the workshop will offer guidance on how and when to submit projects for funding consideration; project ranking criteria; project construction requirements, and how to apply for infrastructure planning grants. Information on the loan and grant programs and applications can be found at de.gov/envfinance.

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. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on 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 Division of Public Health (DPH) recently announced a new financial assistance program for homeowners who receive their drinking water from private wells. The program is operated by the agency’s Health Systems Protection section.  

Starting Sept. 1, 2023, Delawareans can now receive free test kits for their primary residence in the state, which were previously available for $4 per kit. The test kits cover a standard range of bacteria and chemicals that may be present in drinking water. 

A Bacteria Kit tests for the following:  

• Total coliforms 
• E. coli 

A Chemical Kit tests for the following: 

• Alkalinity 
• Chloride 
• Fluoride 
• Hardness 
• Iron 
• Nitrate 
• Nitrite 
• pH 
• Sodium 
• Sulfate 

The Division of Public Health reminds residents that water quality standards for private wells are not regulated by the federal or state government, and they are the responsibility of the homeowner. For more information on primary and secondary contaminants covered by the Safe Drinking Water Act, and their health impacts, visit: https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-06/documents/npwdr_complete_table.pdf  

Drinking water test kits can be picked up at four locations in the state:  

New Castle County 

• Environmental Health Field Services 
  258 Chapman Road, Newark, DE 19702
  302-283-7110
• Delaware Public Health Laboratory
  30 Sunnyside Road, Smyrna, DE 19977
  302-223-1520 

Kent County 

• Environmental Health Field Services 
  Thomas Collins Building, Suite 5, Dover, DE 19901
  302-744-1220  

Sussex County 

• Environmental Health Field Services 
  Thurman Adams State Service Center, Suite 1700 
  544 S. Bedford St, Georgetown, DE 19947 
  302-515-3300 

Individuals will be eligible to apply for the new financial assistance program if their water quality test results obtained from the laboratory contain excessive amounts in any of the following areas: 

• Total coliforms 
• E. coli 
• Fluoride 
• Nitrite 
• Sodium* 

*If individuals are at risk and on severely salt-restricted diets. 

To participate in the program, individuals must complete the application form and provide proof of enrollment in other State or Federal assistance programs such as SNAP, WIC, Supplemental Security Income, LIHEAP or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). 

Once applications have been reviewed and approved, third-party vendors will select the appropriate treatment methods based on sample results. A treatment system, installation and the first year of maintenance will be covered by the program. Homeowners and tenants with landlord approval/sign-off can apply for the program.  

This program is funded through the State of Delaware’s Fiscal Year 2023 capital budget (Bond Bill) and has a budget of $200,000. It will operate on a first-come, first-served basis until funds expire or additional funding is secured for the program.   

For more information about the new program, email DHSS_DPH_PrivateWell@delaware.gov or call 302-744-4546 Option 9.    

Tidewater Park in Laurel was designed with a surface water matching planning grant to include bioswale and created wetlands. The town and partners then used a Chesapeake Bay implementation grant and a community water quality improvement grant for implementing the project. /DNREC photo

State government agencies, county and municipal governments, and conservation districts can now submit proposals to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and the Delaware Division of Public Health to receive matching grants for wastewater, surface water and drinking water project planning. Proposals must be received by 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023.

Eligible projects include planning, preliminary engineering and feasibility analysis of wastewater and/or drinking water projects; stormwater retrofits; green technology practices; stream and wetland restoration projects; small watershed studies; master surface water and drainage plans; and other source water pollution control projects.

Grant applications of up to $50,000 will be considered with a one-to-one cash match requirement. Up to 10% of the grant funds may be used for administrative costs. There is an annual cumulative grant award cap of $100,000 per successful applicant per fiscal year for wastewater and surface water planning grants. Drinking water planning grants can be for any amount, provided funds are available.

The Wastewater, Drinking Water, and Surface Water Matching Planning Grant programs are all set-asides in the state’s Clean Water and Drinking Water Revolving Fund.

• Wastewater Matching Planning Grants assist with wastewater infrastructure project planning and design necessary to submit a loan application for funding consideration.
• Surface Water Matching Planning Grants support projects and activities that focus on reducing surface water runoff and improving water quality in impaired watersheds.
• Drinking Water Matching Planning Grants help municipal water systems prepare for large, often-costly projects such as troubleshooting source water quality and proposing solutions, reconfiguring water plants to optimize treatment, and determining water main size and locations, among other activities.

Projects will be recommended for funding by the Delaware Water Infrastructure Advisory Council through a competitive grant process.

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 Watershed Stewardship develops and implements innovative watershed assessment, monitoring and implementation activities. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.

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

The Division of Public Health (DPH) on Sunday shared that Delaware drinking water has not been impacted by the chemical spill in a tributary of the Delaware River in Bristol, PA.

“Delaware’s drinking water has not been impacted by the spill in Pennsylvania,” said DPH Interim Director Dr. Rick Hong. “Unlike neighboring states, water treatment facilities that service Delaware do not take in water directly from the Delaware River. There is no impact to Delawareans at this time. We continue to monitor the situation with our water treatment facilities and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.”

Tidewater Park in the Town of Laurel. The town used a state Surface Water Matching Planning Grant for the preliminary engineering and design of a bioswale and created wetlands. Laurel and the town’s partners then used a Chesapeake Bay Implementation Grant along with a Community Water Quality Improvement Grant for implementation of the project at Tidewater Park.

State government agencies, county and municipal governments, and conservation districts can now submit proposals to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and the Delaware Division of Public Health to receive matching grants for wastewater, surface water and drinking water project planning. Proposals must be received by 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023.

Eligible projects include planning, preliminary engineering and feasibility analysis of wastewater and/or drinking water projects; stormwater retrofits; green technology practices; stream and wetland restoration projects; small watershed studies; master surface water and drainage plans; and other source water pollution control projects.

Grant applications of up to $50,000 will be considered with a one-to-one cash match requirement. Up to 10 percent of the grant funds may be used for administrative costs. There is an annual cumulative grant award cap of $100,000 per successful applicant per fiscal year for wastewater and surface water planning grants. Drinking water planning grants can be for any amount, provided funds are available.

The Wastewater, Drinking Water, and Surface Water Matching Planning Grant programs are all set-asides in the state’s Clean Water and Drinking Water Revolving Fund.

• Wastewater Matching Planning Grants assist with wastewater infrastructure project planning and design necessary to submit a loan application for funding consideration.
• Surface Water Matching Planning Grants support projects and activities that focus on reducing surface water runoff and improving water quality in impaired watersheds.
• Drinking Water Matching Planning Grants help municipal water systems prepare for large, often-costly projects such as troubleshooting source water quality and proposing solutions, reconfiguring water plants to optimize treatment, and determining water main size and locations, among other activities.

Projects will be recommended for funding by the Delaware Water Infrastructure Advisory Council through a competitive grant process.

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 Watershed Stewardship develops and implements innovative watershed assessment, monitoring and implementation activities. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contact: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov