Summary
Delaware Geological Survey (DGS) projects funded through STATEMAP and NGGDPP provide direct benefits for water supply, permitting, wastewater management, and source water protection. These programs give regulators, utilities, and consultants the data needed to make informed decisions that protect public health and water resources.
STATEMAP
State Water Regulators (2020–2023):
- 2020: Reviewed construction plans for a new drinking water well, confirming geologic formations and lithologies from nearby wells.
- 2021: Verified aquifer designation and selected a monitoring well location during a public well permit renewal.
- 2022: Used geologic maps to define the hydrogeologic framework for a large wastewater disposal system.
- 2023: Assessed the screen interval of a historic public well, placing driller logs in geologic context
Environmental Consultancy (2024):
- Applied geologic and geophysical logs from STATEMAP projects to evaluate source well and recharge facility locations for a large water utility.
- Identified a Pleistocene channel to guide public supply well siting.
NGGDPP (Data Preservation)
- 2023–2024: Completed an inventory of geophysical logs, preserved and organized as part of NGGDPP funding:
- Data is now publicly available online and is actively used by:
- State water agency staff.
- Environmental consultants.
- Academic Researchers.
Impact for Delaware:
- Strengthens drinking water protection through better permitting and aquifer verification.
- Supports wastewater disposal planning with accurate geologic context.
- Provides utilities with reliable data for new supply wells and recharge projects.
- Ensures long-term preservation and accessibility of geophysical logs critical for water resource management.