The first step to bringing clean water to Delawareans

DELAWARE – The state is working to bring clean water to all, and Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) tells us, they have plan to do so with their clean water initiative report. “One of the things that we are likely to say is wow we’ve had this tremendous accomplishment, but now the real work begins,” says Emily Knearl, Director of Advocacy and Internal Affairs with the Delaware Nature Society.

Coming off the momentum of the signing of the long awaited Clean Water for Delaware Act, officials tell 47 ABC, the clean water initiative for under-served communities is in full swing, which includes a $50 million clean water trust fund for drinking and waste water projects. “We’ve gotta’ crack that nut, we really do. If we truly care about fixing Delaware’s water issue and we truly wanna say we’re bold, we have to fix this funding issue,” says Senator Bryan Townsend, an additional sponsor to House Bill 200.

Now with the funding in hand, DNREC is already making plans with other clean water groups; addressing long standing issues like sanitation and sewage issues, septic issues, getting well waters tested, and much more. “We know how to do all the different projects, the issue is we just never had enough focus and funding to do all that needs to get done,” says Sen. Townsend.

However, we’re told this layout of the initiatives is only the first step, there’s said to be a long road ahead. “One of the things that’s exciting about this new funding is, let’s look at these communities and get them set up,” says Knearl. Knearl adds, they will now be able to look at how projects are being funded, when they’re going to be funded, and how communities can access the funding. “It’s like we’ve got the gold medal in individual competition but now we’re going to the team round and it’s time to get the gold medal in the team round as well.”

Sen. Townsend also tells us, some of the plans in the works and the ideas on the plate can only come to fruition, if the community helps “It affects everyone and we’re seeing a lot of signs and problems and we’ve gotta’ step up, gotta’ step up.”

We’re also told, cities and towns throughout the state of Delaware will be responsible for coming together to gather ideas for plans to address water related issues specific to where they live, and bring it to the forefront.

Now although the plans laid out in the initiative are in the very early stages of development and the funding is there, we’re told it must stay consistent and involve state and local agencies to get the job done.