Why are our Creeks and Streams still Polluted?
All of the Creeks and Streams in New Garden Township have been declared unfit for swimming, fishing and other uses by the US Environmental Protection Agency.
We’ve made a lot of progress cleaning up America’s lakes, rivers, and streams since the passage of the 1972 Clean Water Act. We don’t have fires on rivers anymore. Fish kills are down, and the quality of sewage treatment has improved dramatically. But even with all our laws and regulations,about half of America's waters are still too polluted for fishing, swimming, and other uses. Compounding the problem is a lack of public awareness. New Gardens' Streams are still contaminated by sediment, sewage, disease-causing bacteria, fertilizers, manure, toxic metals, and oil and grease. Some of our stream corridors, riverbanks, and lake shores lack stabilizing vegetation and continue to erode, further degrading water quality and aquatic habitat. Today, polluted stormwater runoff is the source of most of the contamination in |
Runoff from suburban areas, for example contain
the following:
• Fertilizer and pesticides leached from lawns
Failing Septic Systems
• Oil and antifreeze washed off driveways
• Bacteria and organic matter from pet waste
• Sediment from construction sites
• High storm flows and increased stormwater temperatures
What can homeowners do?
Call the Township, we have extensive educational resources for homeowners.
610-268-2915 or email
Join the White Clay Watershed Association or the Red Clay Valley Watershed Association
Or get involved in the White Clay Creek Watershed Managment Committee
New Garden Township has two watersheds. 35% drains to the Red Clay Creek and 65% drains to the White Clay Creek Click here for Map |
for more information and to access tons of resources got to the New Garden Township Stormwater Page