Delaware • New Jersey • Pennsylvania
New York • United States of America
Only about 5% of all water used in the Delaware River Basin comes from groundwater, but it is still important to track. The majority of the 5% is used for drinking water supply.
DRBC Publication
- Estimated Groundwater Availability in the Delaware River Basin 2020 - 2060 (pdf; December 2022)
The United States Geological Survey has observation wells in each basin state. DRBC tracks conditions in these wells throughout the year.
USGS Groundwater Info
![]() |
There are two areas of the DRB that are included in special management programs to mitigate historical groundwater supply issues and prevent future stress.
Southeast Pennsylvania Groundwater Protected Area (SEPA-GWPA)
• Managed by DRBC on behalf of the Commonwealth of Pa.
• Area of 1,200 mi2 and 76 subbasins in southeastern Pa.
• Withdrawal limits established for each subbasin
• DRBC Groundwater Well Data: view current levels in USGS monitoring wells in the Southeast Pa. Groundwater Protected Area
• Learn More: SEPA-GWPA Information
New Jersey Critical Area 2
• Managed by New Jersey
• Located in the Potomac-Raritan-Magothy (PRM) aquifer system in southwestern New Jersey
• Withdrawals have decreased over time, putting less stress on the aquifer; reasons include improved water efficiency & a switch to using surface water
• DRBC Groundwater Well Data: view current levels in USGS monitoring wells in New Jersey's Critical Area 2
Copyright © Delaware River Basin Commission,
P.O. Box 7360, West Trenton, NJ 08628-0360
Phone (609)883-9500; Fax (609)883-9522
Thanks to NJ for hosting the DRBC website