Greta Jimenez
Delaware is a state with a rich natural environment, but it is facing significant pollution problems. The state's rivers and streams are the most polluted in the United States, with 97% of its waterways impaired by pollution. This includes the Delaware River, which is the largest source of plastic pollution in North America, contributing 141 tons of plastic to the Atlantic Ocean each year. The state also struggles with air pollution, with the northern region around Wilmington, Delaware's largest city, being one of the worst areas. This pollution has various sources, including agricultural runoff, road traffic, and industrial activities. While Delaware has made some progress in addressing these issues, it still has a long way to go to protect its natural environment and the health of its residents.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Delaware's rank in the US in terms of pollution | Third-most polluted state |
| Delaware's rank in the US in terms of river pollution | Highest percentage of impaired rivers and streams |
| Percentage of Delaware's rivers and streams affected by pollution | 97% |
| Percentage of Delaware's estuaries affected by pollution | 100% |
| Pollution in Delaware's rivers and streams | Fecal bacteria, nitrogen, phosphorus, pesticides, PCBs, dioxins, toxic algae, mercury |
| Causes of pollution in Delaware's rivers and streams | Pollution from oil refineries, chemical plants, slaughterhouses, agricultural runoff, road traffic, industry, and sewage |
| Impact of pollution in Delaware's rivers and streams | Unsafe for swimming, recreation, aquatic life, and fish consumption |
| Action needed to address pollution in Delaware's rivers and streams | Strengthening the Clean Water Act, improving pollution permits, upgrading sewage systems, treating sewage before dumping it into the river |
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What You'll Learn
Delaware River: a leading source of plastic pollution in the Atlantic
According to a 2021 peer-reviewed study, the Delaware River is the leading source of macroplastics pollution in the Atlantic Ocean. The study identified the top 1,000 river inputs worldwide that are responsible for 80% of the plastic pollution in the oceans. The Delaware River acts as a singular gigantic funnel for plastics to reach the ocean. The model attributes 141 tons of plastic pollution from the Delaware into the Atlantic per year.
The Delaware River basin is home to over 7.7 million people, and littering is a bigger problem in the East than in the West. The river's plastic pollution is attributed to the high population and industrial activity in the region. Rivers that dump the most plastic often have the most vessel traffic. In 2020, nearly 2,200 ships arrived at Delaware River port facilities.
The Delaware River is not the only polluted river in the state. In fact, Delaware has a high percentage of polluted rivers and streams than many other states in the country. 97% of Delaware's 1,104 miles of assessed waterways are listed as impaired for one or more uses. The state's rivers and streams are contaminated with pollutants such as fecal bacteria, nitrogen, phosphorus, pesticides, PCBs, and dioxins. These pollutants come from various sources, including agricultural runoff, oil refineries, chemical plants, and slaughterhouses.
The impact of this pollution is significant. Most of the state's rivers and streams are unsafe for swimming and recreation, and they cannot support healthy aquatic life. Fish caught in Delaware are likely unsafe to eat. While Delaware has made progress in keeping pollutants out of drinking water, the natural environment and residents' quality of life are still affected by pollution.
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High levels of toxic waste in Delaware's rivers and streams
According to a 2021 peer-reviewed study, the Delaware River is the leading source of macroplastics pollution in the Atlantic Ocean. The river is home to over 7.7 million people, and the high population is a contributing factor to the pollution. The study identified the top 1,000 river inputs worldwide that are responsible for 80% of the plastic pollution in the oceans. The Delaware River acts as a singular gigantic funnel for plastics to reach the ocean. The report estimates that the river contributes 141 tons of plastic pollution to the Atlantic per year.
The Environmental Integrity Project (EIP) report found that 97% of Delaware's 1,104 miles of assessed waterways are impaired for one or more uses. The state's rivers and streams are contaminated with pollutants such as fecal bacteria, nitrogen, phosphorus, pesticides, PCBs, and dioxins. The report also noted that the Clean Water Act had provided funding for thousands of upgrades to wastewater treatment plants and helped reduce raw human wastewater. However, Delaware's water and sewage infrastructure failed to keep up with the residential and commercial real estate boom in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Agriculture, one of Delaware's biggest industries, is also one of its biggest polluters. Pesticides, fertilizers, and bacteria from factory farms and slaughterhouses wash into the state's waterways. Farmers using wastewater to water their fields further contribute to the pollution. Chemical manufacturing, another major industry in the state, has polluted rivers, lakes, and coastal waters with waste products.
The Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) has also been criticized for dumping nearly 15 billion gallons of untreated sewage and stormwater into the Delaware River annually. This pollution contains bacteria, parasites, and viruses, causing various negative health effects for those who come into contact with the water. It also harms aquatic life, leading to algal outbreaks, a lack of oxygen, and toxic chemicals.
Transportation is another significant source of pollution in Delaware. Vehicles burning gasoline and diesel fuel emit NOx and VOCs, contributing to ozone pollution. Fossil fuels burned in car engines release greenhouse gases, and smokestacks from factories and refineries emit NOx, SO2, greenhouse gases, and other pollutants that contribute to water and land pollution.
Overall, Delaware's rivers and streams are severely impacted by toxic waste, with the state having the highest percentage of impaired waterways in the United States.
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Sewage and stormwater pollution in the Delaware River
The Delaware River is the largest source of plastic pollution in North America, with 141 tons of plastic pollution from the river entering the Atlantic Ocean each year. The river's basin is home to more than 7.7 million people, and littering is a bigger problem in the East than in the West. The plastic pollution in the river is attributed to the high population and industrial activity in the region.
The Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) dumps nearly 15 billion gallons of untreated sewage and stormwater into the Delaware River annually. This sewage often contains bacteria, parasites, and viruses, which can cause various negative health effects, including lung and intestinal infections, diarrhea, cramps, vomiting, loss of appetite, fever, headache, and weakness. The dumping of untreated sewage also contaminates the water with toxic substances that harm fish and other wildlife.
PennEnvironment is working to get the Philadelphia City Council and Mayor to require the Philadelphia Water Department to upgrade its sewage system to stop dumping pollution into the river. They are also working to convince state officials at the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to improve the water pollution permits for PWD's sewer systems.
The Clean Water Act has provided funding for thousands of upgrades to wastewater treatment plants and played a role in reducing raw human waste and industrial discharges from pouring into rivers and streams. However, there are weaknesses in the law that have left several waterways tainted. The Environmental Integrity Project is calling on Congress and the EPA to strengthen the Clean Water Act by closing the loophole for agricultural runoff and other "non-point" sources of pollution.
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Delaware's air pollution
While Delaware's water pollution is a well-known issue, the state also faces significant air pollution problems. According to the 2023 Best States ranking by US News, Delaware is the third-most polluted state in the country. Although this pollution does not harm residents as much as it could, it still affects their quality of life.
Transportation is the single biggest source of air pollution in Delaware. Vehicles burning gasoline and diesel fuel emit NOx and VOCs, which contribute to ozone pollution. NOx and sulfur dioxide (SO2) from cars can also react with other gases to create particle pollution. Fossil fuels burned in car engines also release greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change.
Industrial sources, such as factories, refineries, chemical plants, and power plants, also play a significant role in Delaware's air pollution. Their smokestacks emit NOx, SO2, greenhouse gases, VOCs, and various other pollutants. Open fires are another source of both ozone and fine particle pollution. To address this issue, Delaware has banned most open burning during the "ozone season" from May 1 to September 30. However, the state remains vulnerable to smoke from external sources, such as wildfires in Canada, which can significantly impact its air quality.
Agriculture, one of Delaware's biggest industries, also contributes to air pollution. Pesticides, fertilizer, and bacteria from factory farms and slaughterhouses can not only pollute waterways but also affect air quality. Chemical manufacturing, another major industry in the state, has been responsible for releasing toxic chemicals, including Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), into the environment.
To address air pollution, the Division of Air Quality in Delaware monitors and regulates emissions, issues permits for air contaminant sources, and develops clean air implementation plans. Individuals can also play a role in reducing air pollution by decreasing fossil fuel consumption, participating in energy conservation programs, and limiting their exposure to poor air quality.
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Delaware's water infrastructure
Agricultural practices contribute to water pollution in Delaware. The state's agricultural industry, including factory farms and slaughterhouses, releases pollutants such as pesticides, fertilizer, and bacteria into waterways. For example, farmers using wastewater for irrigation contaminates water with fecal bacteria. Additionally, poultry waste runoff from fields has led to drinking water contamination in some communities.
Industrial activities also play a role in polluting Delaware's water infrastructure. Chemical plants and refineries contribute to water pollution by discharging waste products and pollutants into rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. For instance, chemical companies agreed to pay Delaware $50 million for polluting its waters with Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). Furthermore, coal-fired power plants release mercury, impacting both water and soil quality.
Urban development and stormwater management have impacted Delaware's water infrastructure. The state's water and sewage infrastructure struggled to keep up with the boom in residential and commercial real estate growth in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The Philadelphia Water Department has been criticized for dumping billions of gallons of untreated sewage and stormwater into the Delaware River, posing risks to human health and wildlife.
Transportation is another factor contributing to water pollution in Delaware. Vehicle emissions, particularly from gasoline and diesel fuel, release pollutants such as NOx and VOCs, which contribute to ozone pollution. Additionally, smokestacks from factories and power plants emit pollutants that impact water quality.
Overall, Delaware's water infrastructure is burdened by pollution from agricultural, industrial, urban, and transportation sources. These issues have led to impaired waterways, contaminated drinking water, and negative impacts on aquatic life and human health. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach that includes strengthening regulations, improving infrastructure, and promoting sustainable practices.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes. The Delaware River is the leading source of plastic pollution in the Atlantic Ocean.
The Delaware River basin is home to over 7.7 million people. The primary source of plastic pollution is littering by the residents.
The Delaware River is polluted by untreated sewage and stormwater dumped by the Philadelphia Water Department. The river is also affected by agricultural runoff and non-point sources of pollution, such as factory farms, slaughterhouses, and chemical plants.
The pollution in the Delaware River has led to unsafe drinking water and a lack of access to clean water for bathing and cooking. It has also resulted in negative health effects, including lung and intestinal infections, diarrhea, cramps, vomiting, and other illnesses.
Efforts are being made to strengthen pollution permits and require the treatment of sewage before it is dumped into the river. There is also a focus on improving sewer systems and advocating for changes in farming practices to reduce agricultural runoff.
