News Flash

Executive - Press Release

Posted on: March 26, 2019

Help protect the environment by making the “Great Schools Clean Streams” pledge

Sign the pledge online at greatschoolscleanstreams.org and win money for your school


New Castle, DE –
New Castle County’s 2019 Great Schools, Clean Streams campaign is underway! The annual pledge drive raises awareness of the environmental harm that comes from pouring household grease and oils down the drain and into the wastewater treatment system. Residents over the age of 18 can participate by visiting greatschoolscleanstreams.org and signing a simple online pledge to properly dispose of used cooking grease and throw it in the trash. New Castle County has reduced the number of backups and overflows in the state’s largest wastewater treatment system by 40% over the past two years through regular monitoring and cleaning and through public outreach like the Great School, Clean Streams campaign.


“We need your help to protect the environment,” County Executive Matt Meyer said. “Sign our Great Schools Clean Streams pledge to set aside leftover cooking grease in a can and throw it in the trash. That can make a big difference in keeping our county sewer system clear and reducing pollution in our streams.”


Each participant assigns their pledge to the school of their choice and schools in New Castle County that collect the most pledges win cash awards for classroom materials and school projects. Children and youth under the age of 18 can also participate by signing the pledge poster on display at their school. Schools can click HERE to download the student pledge poster.


Since yesterday’s launch, more than 4,150 people have already signed the Great Schools Clean Streams pledge. A record 15,000 residents participated in last year’s campaign.


The Great Schools Clean Streams campaign runs through April 12.


Nineteen schools from three categories will win cash awards in 2019. First, second and third place awards from each category will receive awards of $1,250, $750 and $500, and all schools with 50 or more pledges will be entered into a wild card drawing for one of ten $250 awards. School categories are:

  • 1 - 299 students
  • 300 - 599 students
  • 600 or more students


New Castle County operates Delaware’s largest wastewater treatment system with more than 1,700 miles of sanitary sewer lines that serve 118,000 customers and handle 50 millions of gallons of flow each day. Cooking grease and oils that are poured down the drain attach to the walls of sewer pipes and are a leading cause of sewer blockages, backups and spills which harm the environment and create significant cleanup costs.

New Castle County wastewater treatment system quick facts:

  • 50+ Million Gallons of Wastewater Daily
  • 1,700 Miles of Sanitary Sewer lines
  • 44,000 Man Holes
  • 150 Pumping Stations
  • 500+ miles of sewer line cleaned annually


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Contact: Jason Miller, Director of Communications, 302-545-1462

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