State Agencies Supporting Water System Partnerships

Delaware Division of Public Health

State Policies and Programs Regarding Water System Partnerships

DWSRF PRIORITIZATION OF CONSOLIDATION PROJECTS

A system applying for a DWSRF loan will receive additional priority points on its application if regionalization or consolidation is involved. The application for the DWSRF loan asks information in order to prioritize projects for funding. 

REGIONAL PLANNING

In 2003, the Delaware Water Supply Coordinating Council (WSCC) was re-established, and its scope was expanded statewide. The council is made up of representatives from municipalities, stakeholders, water companies, and representatives from the Delaware Division of Public Health, Delaware Geological Survey, and the University of Delaware Water Resources Agency. The WSCC is charged with working cooperatively to achieve water-supply self-sufficiency and develop water supply plans for three counties in Delaware. These plans are to be integrated into the comprehensive plans for municipalities in those counties and will designate water supply service areas and plan for future water supply needs, including the need for water system interconnections.

Delaware’s Capacity Development Pro­gram acknowledges some of the chal­lenges that often impede water system partnerships in their 2014 Triennial Report to the Governor:

“Political rivalry between municipalities and between private utilities may thwart interconnection or consolidation of any part of the operation. Resisting change also prevents the study or implemen­tation of new ideas. Interconnections could minimize equipment duplication, create an economy of scale, and share personnel. Interconnected municipalities would each profit from reduced costs. Moreover, municipalities would assure their customers of greater continuity of water service during emergencies or mechanical failures.”

Helpful Links to State Resources

• Delaware’s Administrative Code: http://regulations.delaware.gov/AdminCode/ 
• Delaware’s Office of Drinking Water: http://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/hsp/odw.html
• Drinking Water State Revolving Fund: http://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dph/hsp/dwsrf.html 
• Meetings and Reports from the WSCC: http://www.wrc.udel.edu/public-service/water-supply-coordinating-council/wscc-meetings-and-reporting/