Share: 

DNREC opens virtual operations for water-related services

Permit applications and licenses expedited by online transactions
May 15, 2020

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control continues pivoting to virtual operations both during the COVID-19 pandemic and into the future for greater efficiencies and ease of use for DNREC customers and constituents.

The latest advance for DNREC’s electronic permitting comes from the Division of Water, and covers a spectrum of permit applications and license payments.

The new process is part of the continuing effort to keep DNREC staff and customers safe during the pandemic while providing consistent business practices, and in this case also enhancing the department’s water-related transactions. Until now, almost all Division of Water permit applications and license forms required hard copy submissions, with payment by check or cash.

Online submission and payment can now be made via the electronic permitting system for the following services: professional license renewals including well driller, liquid waste hauler and wastewater operator; water supply allocation permits and water supply well permits, using existing applications; wastewater septic permits, site evaluation, septic inspections, septic system repair and component replacement, authorization to use existing system, holding tanks including new/replacement/repair for private systems, and septic site waiver request; wetlands and subaqueous lands letters of authorization and statewide activity approvals, new permits or leases, supplemental approval for lease or permit, jurisdictional determination requests, water quality certification and wetlands permits.

“The COVID-19 pandemic expedited our efforts to roll out e-permitting developments such as well drilling licenses and other water permitting and licensing, which state staff from DNREC and the Department of Technology and Information implemented in a matter of weeks,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin. “Contractors and constituents doing business with our Division of Water have asked for this option since online transactions became a part of State of Delaware business, and we are happy to provide it, especially at this time."

Many DNREC services are available online, including hunting and fishing permits, sales of park passes and wildlife area conservation access passes, hunter education classes and plenty of virtual content. Public hearings and public meetings are also occurring virtually.

 

Subscribe to the CapeGazette.com Daily Newsletter