Groundwater Discharges Section

The DNREC Groundwater Discharges Section oversees all aspects of the siting, design and installation of onsite wastewater treatment and disposal systems (known as septic systems).

Contact Us

Scott Eichholz
Groundwater Discharges Section Manager
302-739-9948

The Section is organized into two branches.

The Small Systems Branch reviews and approves small septic systems with daily flows less than 2,500 gallons per day. The Branch conducts site evaluations, reviews permit applications, and performs installation and compliance inspections of small systems. It oversees innovative and alternative waste treatment technologies and advanced treatment units.

The Large Systems Branch reviews and approves spray irrigation wastewater systems and onsite wastewater treatment and disposal systems with daily flows greater than 2,500 gallons per day. It oversees underground injection wells and other forms of wastewater treatment.

Septic Systems

The Section approves on-site wastewater treatment and disposal systems, known as septic systems, and maintains information on system types and management practices.

Professional Licensing

The Section issues licenses for several classes of on-site wastewater system professionals and works closely with the Delaware On-Site Systems Advisory Board.

Spray Irrigation Systems

The Section oversees the use of reclaimed water for non-drinking water purposes such as irrigation of agricultural fields, golf courses, forests, parks, and cemeteries.

Underground Injection Wells

The Section reviews and permits the use of underground injection wells. Only those wells that inject non-hazardous fluids underground are permitted in Delaware.

Liquid Waste Transporters

The Section issues permits to Non-Hazardous Liquid Waste Transporters under Delaware’s On-Site Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems regulations.