We are responsible for monitoring and assessing the quality of Delaware's surface water quality. Working with our staff, other government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and citizen volunteers, we're improving the quality for all of us by...

• Setting and managing water quality standards as mandated by the federal Clean Water Act

• Evaluating impaired water bodies and developing defensible Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for pollutants in affected waters

• Developing Pollution Control Strategies to implement TMDLs.

• Assessing the impacts of toxic chemical discharges on the aquatic environment

• Monitoring water quality at stations and locations all over the State

• Monitoring sediments from the bottom of our ponds, lakes, streams, rivers and saltwater bodies for the presence and concentrations of pollutants

• Conducting bioaccumulation studies to assess the effects of pollutants on the environment, animal life, and people

• Conducting bioassays to determine the effect of effluents on aquatic organisms

• Studying and mapping Delaware's soils to determine the effects of land us on ground and surface water quality

• Studying and mapping Delaware's wetlands resources

• Monitoring permitting and other activities that may impact wetlands

• Surveying pollution sources for indicator bacteria under provisions of the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference's Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Program and manage shellfish health safety programs

• Providing water monitoring and advise government agencies on issues regarding water quality safety for swimming

• Managing provisions and requirements of the National Estuary Program in Delaware

If you would like to know more about our activities, please click here for details.