The Water Supply Coordinating Council, established by the Delaware General Assembly (26 Del. Code, § 1305 – § 1308), works to continue water supply self sufficiency in northern New Castle County, and to develop and publish water supply plans for southern New Castle County, Kent County and Sussex County.

The Council includes representatives from the Office of the Governor, several state agencies, the Delaware Geological Survey, the Water Resources Agency at the University of Delaware, the Delaware River Basin Commission, all three county governments, public and private water utilities, local governments, the Delaware Rural Water Association, businesses, citizens groups, and more. The group is chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC).

The Council has achieved its goal of water supply self-sufficiency in northern New Castle County by 2010, as directed by law, and has completed the water supply plan for southern New Castle County. It continues to work on water supply and water demand plans for Kent County and Sussex County.

Meetings of the Council are posted on the DNREC Calendar of Events and on the Delaware Public Meeting Calendar. Materials from meetings prior to 2010 are available in a meeting archive.

Council History

A temporary Water Supply Coordinating Council was created by the General Assembly in 2000 (72 Del. Laws, c. 409), based on recommendations from a Governor’s Water Supply Task Force that had been asked to review Delaware’s water supply and demand. That body was focused on water supply in New Castle County.

In 2003, the Council was extended to 2010 (74 Del. Laws, c. 184) and its focus was expanded to include the entire state. The time frame for the work of the Council was further extended by the General Assembly in 2009 (77 Del. Laws, c. 107) and again in 2015 (80 Del. Laws, c. 108). The Council is now in effect until the end of January, 2022.

Council Reports

Thirteenth Report to the Governor and General Assembly June 28, 2018

Water Use Recommendations and Restrictions for Three-Phase Drought Operating Plan Sept. 17, 2014 (Note)

Twelfth Report to the Governor and General Assembly June 20, 2014

Eleventh Report to the Governor and General Assembly June 14, 2011

Tenth Report to the Governor and General Assembly April 28, 2008

Ninth Report to the Governor and General Assembly June 30, 2006

Eighth Report to the Governor and General Assembly March 8, 2006

Seventh Report to the Governor and General Assembly June 24, 2005

Sixth Report to the Governor and General Assembly June 7, 2004

Fifth Report to the Governor and General Assembly Jan. 17, 2003

Fourth Report to the Governor and General Assembly May 1, 2002

Third Report to the Governor and General Assembly March 27, 2001

Second Report to the Governor and General Assembly March 1, 2001

First Report to the Governor and General Assembly May 31, 2000

Related Topics:  clean water, coordination, council, water, water supply