Over the past two years, the City of Wilmington and Wilmington Water have partnered with the University of Delaware Water Resources Center to help develop the City’s Service Line Inventory Map, which ensures our continued compliance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s revised Lead and Copper Rule.

The Water Resources Center’s Martha Narvaez (Associate Director) and Andrew Homsey (GIS Services Manager) supervised eight graduate and undergraduate students as they reviewed more than 70,000 work orders dating back to 1916 to help us inventory the City’s water supply system.  The information included service line data from the City’s as-built plans and asset management system, as well as from its meter shop, licensing and inspection, and insurance records.

The students are:

• Lydia Franks, Master of Water Science and Policy, 2024
• Alex Makowski, Master of Public Administration, 2023
• Elizabeth Shields, Master of Public Policy, 2023
• Megan Wassil, Master of Water Science and Policy, 2025
• Aaron Balmer, BA Wildlife Conservation and Ecology, 2025
• Cooper Feeny, BS Economics/BA Public Policy, 2025
• Dmitriy Rybin, Engineering, 2026
• Michele Wassil, BS Environmental Science, 2027

The documentation the students reviewed ranged from work orders written in cursive from the early 1900s to data gathered by today’s GIS mapping and artificial intelligence systems.   The students were then able to provide the City and Wilmington Water with the needed inventory information, including the materials used, the sizes and locations of the lines, and their dates of installation.

This investigation work is taking place throughout the nation over the next few years because the EPA understands it will take utilities – especially ones the size of Wilmington’s – time to identify all its service lines, including pipes on a customer’s property that they are not responsible for maintaining.  The Water Resources Center will continue to work with the City of Wilmington, Wilmington Water, and Jacobs to achieve the inventory goals, and we all hope this partnership serves as a State and national model for other cities and towns.

Results from the initial inventory are available on the Wilmington Water Lead Reduction Program page.  Wilmington will also continue seeking customer assistance in identifying their private service lines and encourages residents to participate in the water service line survey here.

In Partnership with The University of Delaware Water Resources Center, a unit of the Institute for Public Administration in the Biden School of Public Policy & Administration.

The City of Wilmington is pleased to announce the release of the Wilmington Water Utility’s Water Quality Report for Calendar Year 2024.

The report, mandated by the Safe Drinking Water Act, provides important details about the quality of the drinking water provided to the communities served by the City of Wilmington.  City water customers will again find that their drinking water meets or exceeds the safety and quality standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The City’s Water Quality Report for 2024 details the water sources and treatment processes used to provide clean drinking water. The 2024 report is available on Wilmington Water's webpage here.  It is also available at City offices and paper copies can be mailed upon request.  A Spanish version is also available.  To receive a copy by mail, contact Wilmington 311, call (302) 576-2620, or email waterqualitylab@wilmingtonde.gov.

 “The people of Wilmington Water work around the clock to provide City residents with high-quality drinking water,” said Commissioner Kelly Williams.  “This report again shows how well they are meeting current and future regulations to ensure safe, clean and reliable water is flowing from our customers’ taps.”

The City of Wilmington Explores Flood Protection Options for Northeast Wilmington Following Hurricane Ida 

On December 12, the City of Wilmington hosted an Open House to present three potential flood protection designs aimed at mitigating flooding in Northeast Wilmington. Hurricane Ida devastated the area in 2021, causing significant damage to homes and infrastructure, with some properties still unrepaired. This event underscored the community's vulnerability to severe storms and the urgent need for long-term flood protection. 

To address this need, the City is developing a conceptual design for a flood mitigation intervention along the Brandywine Creek. The goal is to reduce flooding in Northeast Wilmington while incorporating community input to ensure the design aligns with local priorities. Engaging residents is also a critical component of demonstrating planning and collaboration, key factors in securing competitive grant funding for the project. 

During the Open House, residents reviewed three proposed design alternatives: a waterside flood wall, a mid-landscape berm with integrated green spaces, and an inland flood wall. Attendees shared their preferences, concerns, and feedback, weighing the pros and cons of each option. The City will use this input to select a preferred design for further development. 

The conceptual design is expected to be finalized by early 2025, with grant applications for implementation to follow later that year.  Visit our Brandywine Flood Study page for the latest project information.

The City of Wilmington is excited to announce the implementation of LG Sonic technology in its water treatment processes. This innovative, eco-friendly solution aims to address the seasonal taste and odor issues previously experienced by our residents.

Previous Challenges

Historically, Wilmington Water has advised consumers of temporary, seasonal taste and odor issues in the city's drinking water. These issues have been attributed to recent weather conditions, which have been ideal for algal growth in our source water, leading to an earthy odor and taste reported by many residents. Although the drinking water remained safe due to our comprehensive treatment plants and robust water quality monitoring program, the taste and odor issues persisted, as the human nose is particularly sensitive to such changes.

New Solution: LG Sonic Technology

In response to these challenges, Wilmington Water has taken a significant step forward by adopting LG Sonic technology. This state-of-the-art system uses ultrasonic sound waves to control algae growth without chemicals, offering an environmentally friendly and effective solution to improve water quality.

Key Benefits of LG Sonic Technology:

1. Environmentally Friendly: Unlike chemical treatments, LG Sonic technology is safe for fish, plants, and other aquatic life, promoting a healthier ecosystem.
2. Effective Algae Control: By disrupting algae cells, the ultrasonic waves prevent algae from blooming, reducing the taste and odor issues in the drinking water.
3. Cost-Effective: This technology helps lower operational and maintenance costs associated with chemical treatments and manual algae removal.
4. Real-Time Monitoring: LG Sonic systems include real-time monitoring of water quality parameters, allowing for timely adjustments and optimal performance.

Enhanced Water Treatment

Our treatment facilities are now equipped with the latest LG Sonic devices, which target and control algae growth more efficiently. This addition complements our existing treatment processes, ensuring that Wilmington's drinking water meets all federal and state quality standards while significantly reducing the taste and odor issues.

Commitment to Quality

The City of Wilmington remains committed to providing high-quality drinking water to our residents. While weather conditions contributing to algal growth cannot be entirely prevented, the implementation of LG Sonic technology represents a proactive step toward long-term solutions.

For more information, please contact the City’s Water Quality Laboratory at (302) 571-4158 or email waterqualitylab@wilmingtonde.gov

Stay Informed

Stay updated on Wilmington Water's efforts to enhance drinking water quality by visiting our website or following us on social media. Your health and satisfaction are our top priorities.

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Our alert system is designed for both emergency situations and significant non-emergency incidents, such as planned maintenance, that may affect residents. Emergency alerts may include boil water advisories or main breaks.

To subscribe and tailor alerts to your location, simply provide your address and preferred contact method(s). Don't worry— We won't overwhelm you with everyday details.

How to Subscribe:

•    Online: Visit the Sign Up page or click the Sign Up button below.•    Text: Text WilmingtonWater to 38276 for SMS alerts only.•    App: Download the MyAlerts app for more information and easy access.

These alerts are provided free of charge, but standard text messaging rates and other charges may apply. Stay informed. Stay safe. Sign up now!

Questions? Contact Us.

The City of Wilmington is continuing our proactive steps to reduce potential lead exposure in our drinking water under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) revised Lead and Copper Rule (LCRR). As part of our efforts, Wilmington is conducting an extensive initial inventory of our water service lines to identify any lead pipes that may remain our system. In addition, for the first time ever, all water utilities across the country – including Wilmington – must identify service lines on private properties and within customer homes and businesses, even though City personnel may not enter the properties without permission. For the private property survey work to be successful, Wilmington needs the assistance of our residents. To make it easier for you to help, we’ve created a simple service line survey that enables you to quickly gather the information we need about your water lines. The online survey can be found here or by scanning the QR Code below.  Why This Matters: The EPA’s revised Lead and Copper Rule is requiring all water providers, including Wilmington, to identify and replace lead service lines to minimize lead exposure risks. The initial inventory’s results will be publicly reported by October 16, 2024, ensuring transparency and community awareness.  Later this fall, the EPA will announce additional improvements to the Lead and Copper Rule.  Wilmington’s initial inventory work, combined with information provided by you about your private water lines, will provide a roadmap for the City’s continued compliance with the Rule well into the next decade. How You Can Help: You can take these three simple steps to help the City remove any lead that remains in our system and your property, home, or business.  Together, we can ensure a lead-free water supply for all of Wilmington’s residents. Complete the Survey:  Click here to take the survey or scan the QR code below. Submit Your Information:  Follow the survey instructions to share details about your private water lines. Stay Informed: If lead is found in your service line or within your home, the City will guide you on reducing exposure risks and provide additional water testing. Important Note: Finding lead in your home or in the service line does not necessarily mean you have been exposed to lead. Wilmington’s effective corrosion control program significantly reduces the risk of lead contaminating your water. For more information on lead exposure and safety measures, visit the EPA’s webpage at epa.gov/safewater/lead. Contact Information: For any questions or assistance, please contact the Wilmington Water Department using Wilmington 311, calling 302-576-2620, or emailing waterqualitylab@wilmingtonde.gov. Stay Connected: Stay updated on our progress and participate in the weekly drawing by following us on social media. For more information, visit our Lead Reduction Program webpage.

Original article posted on 06/21/2024 here.