Skip to Page Content Image: Official Website for the First State Photo: Featured Delaware Image
Visit the Governor |  General Assembly |  Courts |  Elected Officials |  State Agencies
State Phone Directory |  Help |  Search
Citizen Services |  Business Services |  Tourism Info.

DNREC : Skip Navigation LinksDivision of Water Resources : Services : Ground Water Discharges

Division of Water Reources Logo
Ground Water Discharges Section

The Ground Water Discharges Section (GWDS) is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the siting, design and installation of onsite wastewater treatment and disposal systems (AKA septic systems). The section also issues waste transporter permits and licenses to percolation testers, designers, soil scientists, system contractors, liquid waste haulers and system inspectors.

The Ground Water Discharges Section is broken down into two branches; the Small Systems Branch, which has two offices (one in Dover, serving Kent and New Castle Counties and the other in Georgetown, serving Sussex County) and the Large Systems Branch in Dover (serving all three counties).

The Small Systems Branch reviews and approves site evaluations, permit applications, conducts installation and compliance inspections of systems with daily flows equal too and less than 2,500 gallons per day. This is a three step process which includes the site evaluation, the design/permit application and the construction/installation of the system.

NEW! DNREC adopts new protective measures with Pollution Control Strategy for Delaware's Inland Bays

   •  PCS for the Inland Bays   
   •
Secretary's Order Governing PCS for the Inland Bays
   • Hearing Officer's Report

   • Division of Water Resources Response to Public Comments
   • Inland Bays Tributary Action Team's PCS Information Page 
   • Early implementation PSN3 (Performance Standard Nitrogen Level 3) interactive map

The Large Systems Branch reviews and approves spray irrigation wastewater systems, on-site wastewater treatment and disposal systems with daily flows greater than 2,500 gallons per day, Experimental/Alternative Technologies, Advanced Treatment Units, underground injection wells, and other means associated with land application wastewater treatment

Section Manager: Dave J. Schepens
Phone: 302-739-9948
Email: Dave.Schepens@state.de.us

Offices:

Serving Kent & New Castle Counties
89 Kings Highway
Dover, DE 19901

Telephone:
- Small systems: (302) 739-9947
- Large systems: (302) 739-9948
FAX: (302) 739-7764
Directions 

Serving Sussex County
20653 DuPont Boulevard, Unit 5
Georgetown, DE 19947

Telephone: (302) 856-4561
FAX: (302) 856-5088
 Directions 

Ground Water Discharges Section links

  • Community Financing for Septic System Management in the Inland Bays Watershed: A White Paper Report
  • Related links:

     
     about this site   |    contact us   |    translate   |    delaware.gov

    Link to the State of Delaware Web PortalLink to the State of Delaware Web PortalLink to Delaware Facts and Symbols