When it rains, stormwater runoff carries pollutants from surfaces to the sewer system and ultimately to the City’s waterways. These pollutants enter the waterways and negatively affect aquatic life and vegetation. Urban land surfaces generate a variety of pollutants depending on the type of land based activities. These behaviors and activities can include businesses, industries, households and individuals.

The City manages stormwater runoff through the combined and separate storm sewer systems that collect and convey runoff to the City’s waterways. The City is obliged to comply with the requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permits (NPDES) issued by Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). Under these permits the City is required to manage the storm sewer system to help reduce stormwater pollution to the maximum extent possible.

The City needs your help in addressing stormwater pollution. Everyone’s behavior affects stormwater quality. Simple changes can make big differences. Some common individual behaviors have the potential to reduce stormwater pollution, for example:

• Throwing trash in receptacles
• Picking up pet waste
• Correctly applying lawn chemicals as directed
• Washing cars at car washes
• Carefully changing motor oil as directed
• Properly disposing of leftover paint and household chemicals

The City is asking you to educate yourself about stormwater pollution. We need your help to reduce stormwater pollution and enhance the quality of our urban waterways.

MS4 Permit

NPDES permit DE 0051071/State Permit WPCC 3063A/96 was issued by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) on May 7, 2013 (effective date). This permit authorizes the Principal Permittees (New Castle County and the Delaware Department of Transportation or DelDOT) and the Co-permittees (towns of Bellefonte, Elsmere, and Newport and the cities of Delaware City, New Castle, and Wilmington) to discharge stormwater from their municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4).

Visit this link for more information and to download the permit.

Help Keep Wilmington's Waterways Clean

(302) STOPPIT - Water Pollution Prevention Hotline

• Visit www.302STOPPIT.org and fill out an online form; or
• Call or send a text message to (302) STOPPIT (302-786-7748) with the location and details; or
• Email hotline@302STOPPIT.org with the location and details.

Contact Wilmington 311 to Report Waterway Issues

• Dial 311 within city limits or (302) 576-2620 from outside city limits. Operators are on duty Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Visit the Submit a Request for Service portal to report non-emergency requests for service online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.