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1. What is the Stormwater Maintenance District Program?

This program provides an alternative to homeowner responsibility for long-term maintenance of stormwater infrastructure within subdivisions and land developments, and relieves homeowners of the burden of minor and major stormwater maintenance.  The County will take over these maintenance responsibilities leaving the maintenance organization to focus only on maintenance of the non-stormwater common areas.

2. Who authorized this program?

The State of Delaware enacted enabling legislation on September 10, 2021 that allowed New Castle County to create Stormwater Maintenance Districts.  New Castle County Council followed up with it’s own legislation on January 11, 2022 establishing the New Castle County Stormwater Maintenance District Program.

3. How much is it going to cost me? How will I get billed?

Cost will be determined on a case by case basis and will be dependent on the size and number of stormwater facilities your community has. The County will secure pricing from its own vendors who have been competitively awarded contracts through the low bid process.  Cost will be divided by lot and billed as part of the annual tax billing in the fall.

4. What are Public Works’ responsibilities under this program?

Public Works will assume complete maintenance responsibilities for the stormwater management facilities as defined on the record plan.

5. What are the Maintenance Organization’s responsibilities under this program?

Once successfully enrolled in the program, the Maintenance Organization will only need to maintain its open space exclusive of the stormwater management areas.

6. What should I do if I notice something is wrong with a stormwater facility?

Please contact our office at 302-395-5700 or by email at Stormwater@newcastlede.gov

7. Who is going maintain our stormwater facility(ies)?

Maintenance will be done by a combination of contractors both external and internal to the County.

8. Our Maintenance Organization was told they were not eligible for the program. What does that mean?

Only Maintenance Organizations that are in good standing with the County’s stormwater management program may enter into the program.  This means they have registered with the County and have been conducting routine maintenance of their facilities to maintain them in working order.  Maintenance Organizations not in good standing can work with our office to develop a plan to bring their stormwater management facilities into good standing in order to enter the program.

9. How can my Maintenance Organization request to be included in the program?

Maintenance issues can submit a Letter of Intent at any time during the year.  This will trigger the County to prepare a Petition that includes a description of the areas to be maintained and the cost per lot.  Petitions received back by the County during the period of July 1 through September 30^th , and that successfully demonstrate the required percentage of homeowner’s commitment to join will be entered into the program.