§ 2301 — Agricultural lands and use of treated wastewater effluent

Notwithstanding any law or regulation to the contrary:

(1) Any agricultural lands which are actively being farmed shall have the right to receive and recycle to such land reclaimed water through irrigation systems.

(2) Any agricultural land receiving and applying reclaimed water pursuant to paragraph (1) of this section may also be leased to a private or public entity for irrigation systems to disperse said reclaimed water in accordance with the agronomic requirements of the agricultural land. Such leased irrigation systems shall only be subject to application and permitting of the irrigation systems by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.

(3) The receipt and application of reclaimed water for irrigation purposes on agricultural lands subject to agricultural lands preservation under Chapter 9 of this title shall be permitted subject to the provisions of § 909(a)(5)e. of this title.

(4) Agricultural land may be leased to a public or private entity for irrigation systems to disperse reclaimed water provided that, prior to entering any contractual agreement, and expressly included in the contractual agreement, the private or public entity advises the agricultural landowners of potential limitation, risk and loss regarding the use of reclaimed water on conventional crops for direct human consumption.

Legislative History

77 Del. Laws, c. 123, § 2