Water quality in the First State took center stage at the Delaware Department of Natural Resources’ capital budget hearing yesterday Thursday.

DNREC is asking the Bond Bill committee for nearly $27.7 million in capital funding for Fiscal Year 2020.

That includes $5 million for clean water infrastructure projects, along with wastewater and stormwater initiatives. Federal dollars match the state funding and Delaware Health and Social Services’ budget also includes $5 million.

But Senate Majority Whip Bryan Townsend (D-Newark) said his clean water task force, co-chaired with retired State Rep. Mike Mulrooney, found the state needed to spend at least $100 million dollars a year to address water quality needs.