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Wastewater Facilities



The DNREC Division of Water issues permits to construct facilities that will store, collect, convey or treat sewerage and other wastewaters. Permits are issued to safeguard the environment and ensure that the facilities are designed to manage the wastes properly.

Construction of Wastewater Systems

The regulations governing construction and operation of pollution control facilities are found in Section 4.0 of the Regulations Governing the Control of Water Pollution (7 DE Admin. Code 7201).

This includes sewer systems, wastewater collection and transmission facilities, wastewater treatment systems and similar facilities intended to prevent or control the discharge of pollutants into surface waters. It excludes service plumbing and fixtures (sinks, toilets, drain pipes, etc.).

Wastewater Operators

All wastewater treatment facilities in Delaware must be operated under the direct supervision of a Delaware Licensed Wastewater Operator.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control administers a Wastewater Operators Certification Program with advice and assistance from the Board of Certification For Operators of Wastewater Facilities.

A wastewater operator is an person who, through observation, interpretation, or decision, operates a wastewater facility or a segment of a system or facility. The state of Delaware issues four different levels of wastewater operator license.

The state of Delaware issues four different levels of wastewater operator license.

Level I requires a high school diploma and one year of acceptable operating experience.

Level II requires a high school diploma and three years of acceptable operating experience in wastewater facilities of Class I or higher.

Level III requires a high school diploma, two years of approved college level education in engineering or allied subjects, and four years of acceptable operating experience in wastewater facilities of Class II or higher, two years of which must have been in a position of direct responsible charge.

Level IV requires a college degree of completion of four years in a standard curriculum in engineering or allied subjects and four years of acceptable operating experience in wastewater facilities of Class III or higher, two years of which must have been in a position of direct responsible charge.

At the start of each year, all wastewater facilities in Delaware must report the names of all Delaware Licensed Wastewater Operators to the Department using a Section 4.04 Report Form. They must report any personnel changes involving Licensed Operators, within 30 days after the change.




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