DOVER, Del. — Delaware environmental and health leaders have unveiled a new statewide strategy aimed at reducing exposure to PFAS and other emerging contaminants in drinking water, food supplies and the environment.
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, along with the Division of Public Health and the Delaware Department of Agriculture, announced the 2026 Strategic Framework for Contaminants of Emerging Concern and a companion PFAS Implementation Plan.
The framework outlines a coordinated, science-based approach to identify and manage chemicals that may pose risks to people and wildlife. These contaminants include PFAS, often called “forever chemicals,” as well as microplastics, pharmaceuticals and pesticides.
PFAS are widely used in products such as nonstick cookware, firefighting foam and food packaging. Because they persist in the environment and the human body, they have become a growing concern nationwide.
In recent years, both the town of Georgetown and the town of Blades made headlines for PFAS in their respective water systems. In Blades in 2018, town water was contaminated, with even the national guard deployed to help deliver and distribute water.
State leaders say the new plan builds on nearly a decade of work addressing PFAS contamination. Delaware began focused efforts in 2016 and has since expanded testing and regulatory actions.
Recent milestones include a 2025 law requiring public notification when PFAS are detected in public water systems, as well as earlier statewide water sampling and ongoing monitoring of wastewater, fish and wildlife.
The plan also highlights new public education efforts, including a medical training course launched in September 2025 and a statewide awareness survey released later that year. In 2026, Delaware plans to roll out community outreach grants and a free private well testing program.
Funding for many PFAS-related efforts comes from a 2021 legal settlement with chemical companies, which established a multi-million dollar trust to support cleanup and prevention.
The PFAS Implementation Plan focuses on six key areas: protecting public health, identifying contamination sources, reducing exposure, engaging communities, improving communication and strengthening emergency preparedness.
State leaders say the approach will remain flexible, allowing updates as new science emerges. Annual progress reports are expected to track how effectively the state is reducing risks tied to PFAS and other contaminants.
More information, including the full plans, is available on the state’s PFAS webpage.