Nanticoke Team's PCS Recommendation
Makes Strides

On Monday, October 27th, Kevin Donnelly, Director of the Division of Water Resources presented the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s (DNREC) response to the Nanticoke Tributary Action Team’s recommended Pollution Control Strategy (PCS).

The Department was pleased to see a PCS that went so far towards achieving the nutrient reductions needed to achieve water quality standards.  Based on best available data, DNREC estimated that the PCS would achieve 42% of the total nitrogen reduction and 83% of the total phosphorus reduction needed.

The majority of the reductions come from agricultural Best Management Practices that have been implemented to date.  Recommendations regarding enhanced nutrient removal technology for onsite wastewater systems are also included, increasing the quantity of nutrients we estimate will be removed from Delaware's water bodies through this strategy.

Although some team members are disappointed that the PCS isn't expected to achieve full compliance with the full range of water quality standards, DNREC representatives were encouraged by the numbers.   With additions of agricultural BMP implementation goals and elements that reduce nutrient loading from stormwater and other urban/residential land uses, DNREC believes that the TMDL can be achieved.

We'd like to invite you to download and learn more about the Nanticoke team's final draft PCS and DNREC's comments.

Nanticoke Final Draft Pollution Control Strategy (40.5 kb)
DNREC Response to Nanticoke Draft PCS (148 kb)

Our next step is to review DNREC's response and incorporate their recommendations for the final pollution control strategy.  We welcome your thoughts and comments.