NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL

Sept. 3, 2008
Vol. 38, No. 398

For more information, contact Stewart Lovell or Patty Murray, Water Supply Section, Division of Water Resources, 302-739-9945, or Melanie Rapp, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Public Urged Not to Withdraw Water from Ponds and Lakes for Landscape Use 

DOVER, Del. – Less than normal rainfall in August in some areas of the state has depressed water levels in ponds and lakes. DNREC’s Water Supply Section urges the public not to withdraw water for landscape irrigation.

“During this dry spell, water levels and stream flows have fallen much below normal, which can lead to low levels of dissolved oxygen in the water and cause harmful algae blooms and fish kills, and some have occurred,” said Stewart Lovell, manager of the Division of Water Resources’ Water Supply Section. “Withdrawing water can further disturb a pond’s balance. We urge lakefront homeowners to refrain from withdrawing water to help prevent even more stress on the habitat.”

All waters in Delaware are considered “waters of the state,” protected under the Delaware Water and Air Resources Act. The law includes a regulation that requires a water allocation permit for any withdrawl from surface waters, including all Delaware private and public ponds and lakes.

The permit specifies that withdrawals from ponds and lakes must not result in adverse impacts to the environment. To protect fish and wildlife habitat, water quality standards and adequate flow over spillways must be maintained. Permits for surface water withdrawals are issued by DNREC’s Water Supply Section.

DNREC’s Environmental Protection Officers routinely conduct permit checks and receive complaints through the toll-free 24-hour Environmental Complaint Line: 1-800-662-8802. Verizon wireless customers in Delaware can reach the complaint line by calling #367 on their cell phones. For more information on enforcement, contact Chip McDaniel, Chief, DNREC Environmental Crimes Unit at 302-739-9401.

For more information on DNREC’s Water Supply Section and surface water allocation permitting, contact Patty Murray, 302-739-9945.

Visit DNREC’s website, www.dnrec.delaware.gov for more information.