Delaware
Delaware sits in the Northeast and draws its water primarily from Delaware River and coastal aquifers. With roughly 1 million residents, the state has minimal formal water reuse to date, reusing an estimated 5% of its treated wastewater.
Delawarewater quality & safety
Top violation drivers in Delaware
| Contaminant / rule | Systems |
|---|---|
| Nitrate | 10 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | 9 |
| Combined Radium (-226 and -228) | 3 |
| TTHM | 2 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | 1 |
| Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule | 1 |
Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) · 2026 Q1 · health-based violations since 2016
Low-lying coastal aquifers are vulnerable to saltwater intrusion and contamination.
On the U.S. Drought Monitor scale, Delaware currently tracks around severe to extreme conditions. Delaware has 209 community water systems serving about 1 million people; EPA records show 28 of them (13.4%) with a health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violation since 2016. The pages below break down the water issues that matter most here and the communities working on solutions.
Drought history — severe+ extent
% of Delaware in severe drought or worse (D2+) each late summer.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor (NDMC/UNL, USDA, NOAA) · latest 2026-06-09
Water use (USGS 2015)
- Per-capita (public supply)
- 113 gpcd
- Total withdrawals
- 0.8 Bgal/d
- From groundwater
- 31.9%
- Irrigation share
- 14.3%
- Wastewater reused (est.)
- ~5%
Primary water sources
- ≈ Delaware River
- ≈ coastal aquifers
Common questions
Is tap water safe in Delaware?
Delaware has 209 community water systems serving about 1 million people. EPA records show 28 of them (13.4%) with at least one health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violation since 2016, and 1 system(s) over the federal lead action level. Most large systems meet standards; check your specific city and your utility's annual report.
What contaminants are most common in Delaware's water?
The most frequent health-based violations involve Nitrate, Revised Total Coliform Rule, Combined Radium (-226 and -228).
How much water does Delaware use per person?
Public water systems in Delaware withdraw about 113 gallons per person per day (USGS 2015), drawing 31.9% of fresh water from groundwater.
How bad is the drought in Delaware?
As of 2026-06-09, 100% of Delaware is in drought (D1+) and 100% is in severe drought or worse, per the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Cities in Delaware
6 trackedWilmington
Wilmington, DE water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Dover
Dover, DE water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Newark
Newark, DE water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Middletown
Middletown, DE water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Bear
Bear, DE water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Brookside
Brookside, DE water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Key issues in Delaware
Saltwater Intrusion
As coastal aquifers are over-pumped and seas rise, saltwater pushes inland and contaminates freshwater supplies for cities from Florida to California.
ExplorePFAS Contamination
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances persist in water supplies for decades. New federal limits are forcing utilities nationwide to invest in advanced treatment.
Explore