Delco’s Impaired Streams Bad for Fish, Drinking, Recreation, Study Finds

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Darby Creek.
Image via Darby Creek Valley Association.
Darby Creek.

Delaware County, along with most of Southeastern Pennsylvania, have the most polluted, or “impaired” streams in Pennsylvania, according to a new report by the state’s Department of Environmental Protection, writes Frank Kummer for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Delaware County ranked second in the region among the counties with the highest percentage of streams impaired for aquatic life, recreation, fish consumption, or drinking.

From the 380 miles assessed, 363, or 94 percent, were found to be impaired

Overall, 2,398 more miles of the state’s streams have been designated as impaired over the last two years, bringing the total to 27,886 miles. These include segments of well-known local streams or rivers, such as the Schuylkill and Delaware River.

The main causes for stream impairment in the region include agricultural, storm-water runoff, and acid-mine drainage.

“The many thousands of miles of impaired streams, and high proportions in Southeastern Pennsylvania counties described in this report, tells us that polluted streams are still common in our neighborhoods, and we have a lot of work to reduce the pollution reaching those streams and eventually the Delaware River and its estuary,” said John Jackson, a scientist with the Stroud Water Research Center.

Read more about the findings in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

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