11:30 a.m., June 23, 2003--The Delaware Geological Survey at the University of Delaware has released two new hydrogeologic map and poster publications entitled “Ground-Water Recharge Potential, Kent County, Delaware” and “Ground-Water Recharge Potential, Sussex County, Delaware.”
Ground water provides nearly all fresh water for public, domestic, commercial, irrigation and industrial uses in Delaware south of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal and about 25 percent north of the Canal.
“Recharge of ground water represents a critical part of the water resources of Delaware,” A. Scott Andres, DGS scientist and author of the maps, said. “The new publications provide information that will be useful in guiding anticipated growth and economic development, developing and protecting water resources and cleaning-up of contaminated water supplies.”
The publications are produced in a two-sided format that is much different than many previous DGS Hydrologic Map Series publications. One side is a map that displays aquifer recharge potential (excellent, good, fair, poor). The other side is a colorful poster-style portrayal showing mapping methods and results, aquifer characteristics and applications of recharge mapping.
The maps have direct application to the Delaware Source Water Protection program. According to legislation enacted in 2001, counties and municipalities with populations of 2,000 or more shall adopt overlay maps of “excellent recharge areas” and shall adopt regulations governing land use in such areas as part of their 2007 Comprehensive Land Use Plans. Recharge Resource Protection Areas, including excellent recharge areas and wellhead protection areas, have been protected via code in New Castle County since the early 1990s.
The maps are part of the Delaware Geological Survey’s ongoing mission to understand hydrologic systems and to advise, inform and educate Delawareans about the results of such investigations for use in such topics as water resources, agriculture, economic development, land-use planning, environmental protection, mineral resources and recreation.
Hydrologic Map Nos. 11 and 12 are available in pdf format from the DGS web site at [www.udel.edu/dgs/] under “Publications.” Printed copies of the maps may be requested by contacting the Survey at 831-2833 or by email at [delgeosurvey@udel.edu].
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