Sussex County, Delaware septic records: searching DNREC's files

DNREC's wastewater disposal line for Sussex County is 302-856-4561.⁴ DNREC's own septic forms give its Sussex County office as 21309 Berlin Road, Unit 2, Georgetown, DE 19947.⁶

The Division of Water has three online searches for septic records:^{5, 7-8}

Each search page also lets you send DNREC a suggested correction if a record looks wrong.^{5, 7-8}

Getting a septic system approved in Delaware takes three steps, each with a licensed professional who works with DNREC:¹

• Site evaluation. A licensed Class D soil scientist works out what type of system the parcel can take under the current rules, and sends DNREC a site evaluation report for approval.
• Design and permit. A licensed designer designs the system and gets the permit.
• Installation. A licensed Class E system contractor installs it.

DNREC's septic forms page also lists a construction report, a pre-construction as-built and the Class H inspection form.¹

When a property with a septic system is sold or changes hands, the system has to be pumped out by a Class F licensee and inspected by a Class H licensee before the sale is completed. Sheriff sales, auctions, short sales and cash sales get up to 90 days from the date of sale. The inspection goes to DNREC on its form within 72 hours of being finished.⁹ Part of the inspector's job is to research the property's past permits and site evaluations with DNREC, using tax map numbers and previous owners.⁹

Call the Sussex County line above. You can also ask for records under Delaware's Freedom of Information Act: the state's online FOIA form sends a request to DNREC's FOIA Coordinator, who can be reached at 302-739-9034. DNREC says it tries to put as much as it can online but that a FOIA request is sometimes needed.¹⁰