Delaware – The First State – Water Quality Report 2025: PFAS Testing, Infrastructure Concerns & Safety across your state
Delaware’s water infrastructure serves approximately 1 million residents across three counties, from Wilmington’s urban center to the rural communities of Kent and Sussex counties. The state operates through a network of public water systems including major municipal utilities like Wilmington Water Department serving over 110,000 customers, and Artesian Water Company providing service to portions of New Castle County. Delaware’s water sources primarily include the Delaware River, Brandywine Creek, and the Columbia aquifer system, which supplies groundwater to more than 90% of the state’s population.
Despite its small size, Delaware faces significant water quality challenges, particularly related to PFAS contamination and aging infrastructure. The state has been at the forefront of PFAS monitoring and regulation, with comprehensive testing revealing some areas exceeding new EPA standards. Delaware has received over $237 million in federal infrastructure investments from the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law through 2024 to address these challenges, focusing on drinking water safety, PFAS treatment, and emerging contaminant removal. The state’s proactive approach to water quality management, led by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and Division of Public Health (DPH), demonstrates commitment to ensuring safe, reliable water access for all residents while addressing complex contamination challenges.

Delaware Water Quality: Current Status (2024-2025)
Statewide Compliance and Testing
- Overall Compliance: The majority of Delaware’s public water systems meet federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards, with EPA data from 2023-2024 showing only 6% of 3,172 samples containing detectable PFAS chemicals and 2.5% exceeding health-protective levels.
- PFAS Monitoring Leadership: Delaware has emerged as a national leader in PFAS testing and transparency, conducting comprehensive surface water monitoring across 33 watersheds and implementing proactive groundwater assessments through USGS collaboration.
- Infrastructure Investment: Over $237 million in federal funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has been allocated to Delaware for water infrastructure improvements, including $42 million in 2024 specifically for drinking water, wastewater, and emerging contaminant treatment.
Major Water Sources and Challenges
- Delaware River System: Primary source for northern Delaware including Wilmington, with ongoing federal efforts to establish protective dissolved oxygen standards for endangered species while addressing legacy industrial contamination.
- Brandywine Creek Watershed: Serves Wilmington’s 110,000 customers but faces susceptibility to contamination from urban runoff, underground storage tanks, and agricultural sources identified in source water assessments.
- Columbia Aquifer System: Supplies groundwater to over 90% of Delaware residents, with USGS studies detecting PFAS in 16 of 30 wells tested, requiring ongoing monitoring and treatment planning.
Emerging Contaminant Response
- PFAS Regulation Implementation: New EPA drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS (4 parts per trillion) take effect in 2029, with some Delaware water systems preparing treatment upgrades to meet these stringent requirements.
- Treatment Technology Deployment: Water utilities including Veolia Delaware and City of Newark are implementing advanced treatment technologies such as activated carbon filtration and reverse osmosis systems scheduled for 2025 operation.
- Source Water Protection: DNREC has identified six priority watersheds with concerning PFAS levels for enhanced monitoring and potential remediation, focusing on areas near military installations and industrial sites.
Rural and Disadvantaged Communities
- Clean Water Initiative: Delaware’s comprehensive Clean Water Initiative specifically targets low-income and underserved communities, providing technical assistance and funding for septic system connections and water quality improvements.
- Targeted Federal Support: The state received $164,000 in WIIN Act grants for small and disadvantaged communities, plus additional funding through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund for priority projects in underserved areas.
- Environmental Justice Focus: Priority given to communities with demonstrated environmental justice concerns, including manufactured home parks and areas with aging infrastructure requiring connection to central water and sewer systems.
Looking Forward: 2025-2030
Delaware’s water quality landscape is undergoing significant transformation as utilities prepare for new federal PFAS regulations and climate resilience challenges. The state’s proactive approach to emerging contaminant monitoring, combined with substantial federal infrastructure investments and innovative programs like the Clean Water Initiative, positions Delaware as a model for addressing 21st-century water quality challenges. However, successful implementation will require continued collaboration between state agencies, water utilities, and communities to ensure that all Delawareans have access to safe, affordable drinking water while addressing the complex interplay of industrial legacy contamination, climate impacts, and evolving regulatory requirements that define modern water management.
Recommendations for Delaware Residents

Know Your Water Source
Contact your water utility to request annual water quality reports and ask about PFAS testing results. Visit DNREC’s website to access local system testing data and understand any contaminants of concern in your area, including the state’s comprehensive surface water PFAS assessment.

Support Infrastructure Investment
Stay informed about local water infrastructure needs and support utility rate structures that enable necessary improvements. Participate in public comment periods for State Revolving Fund projects and clean water infrastructure planning.

Consider PFAS-Certified Filtration
For areas with known PFAS contamination or as a precautionary measure, consider NSF-certified activated carbon or reverse osmosis filters specifically tested for PFAS removal. These can provide additional protection while utilities implement treatment upgrades.

Report Water Quality Concerns
Contact your local water utility immediately for taste, odor, or color concerns. Report suspected contamination to DNREC’s Division of Waste and Hazardous Substances at (302) 395-2600 for investigation and follow-up.

Practice Water Conservation
Support Delaware’s water sustainability by implementing conservation measures and protecting source water quality. Reducing demand helps utilities maintain system reliability while minimizing treatment costs and environmental impacts on sensitive aquifer systems.
Delaware Cities We Cover
Wilmington Water Quality
Comprehensive analysis of Wilmington Water Department, Delaware’s largest municipal water utility serving over 110,000 customers. Includes information on Brandywine Creek source water protection, treatment processes, infrastructure modernization, and compliance with new PFAS regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Delaware’s tap water safe to drink?
Most of Delaware’s public water systems meet federal drinking water standards and are safe for consumption. EPA data from 2023-2024 shows that 94% of tested samples contained no detectable PFAS chemicals.
Delaware has been proactive in PFAS monitoring and transparency, with comprehensive testing across watersheds and water systems. While some areas show elevated PFAS levels requiring treatment upgrades by 2029, water utilities are implementing advanced filtration technologies. The state has received significant federal funding to address emerging contaminants and infrastructure needs. Residents should review their utility’s annual water quality report and stay informed about local conditions through DNREC’s monitoring programs.
What are PFAS chemicals and why are they a concern in Delaware?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are synthetic “forever chemicals” that don’t break down naturally in the environment or human body.
Delaware has documented PFAS contamination in some areas, particularly near New Castle Air National Guard Base where firefighting foam use led to groundwater contamination. USGS studies found PFAS in 16 of 30 wells tested from the Columbia aquifer. These chemicals have been linked to cancer, immune system effects, and developmental problems. The EPA finalized new drinking water standards in 2024 limiting PFOA and PFOS to 4 parts per trillion, requiring water systems to comply by 2029. Delaware leads in PFAS monitoring and has developed comprehensive surface water assessments to guide remediation efforts.
How can I find out about my local water quality?
Delaware residents can access comprehensive water quality information through several resources:
• Annual Water Quality Reports: Contact your water utility directly for their Consumer Confidence Report, which details all testing results including recent PFAS monitoring data
• DNREC Online Resources: Visit DNREC’s website to access testing results, surface water assessments, and compliance information for your local water system
• PFAS Testing Data: Delaware maintains publicly available PFAS testing results from both drinking water systems and surface water monitoring programs
• EWG Tap Water Database: Use your zip code to search for contaminants detected in your local water system and get filter recommendations
What is Delaware doing to address water infrastructure challenges?
Delaware is taking comprehensive action to modernize water infrastructure and address emerging contaminants:
Federal Investment: Over $237 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding through 2024 for drinking water, wastewater, and PFAS treatment improvements
Clean Water Initiative: Targeted program for low-income and underserved communities, providing technical assistance and funding for infrastructure connections
State Revolving Funds: Annual funding allocation through Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds for priority infrastructure projects
Proactive Monitoring: Comprehensive PFAS testing across watersheds and groundwater systems, with transparent public reporting and strategic remediation planning
The state prioritizes environmental justice communities and implements innovative financing mechanisms to ensure equitable access to safe drinking water.
Contaminants of Concern

PFAS “Forever Chemicals”
Source: Industrial manufacturing, firefighting foam use at military installations including New Castle Air National Guard Base, consumer products, and wastewater treatment facilities
Health Effects: Linked to kidney and testicular cancer, liver damage, immune system suppression, high cholesterol, and developmental effects in children
Current Status: USGS found PFAS in 16 of 30 groundwater wells tested; surface water monitoring detected varying levels across 33 watersheds, with six priority areas identified for enhanced monitoring EPA Limits: 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS individually, with utilities required to comply by 2029
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