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CHRISTINA WATERSHED FACES CLEANUP CHALLENGES (West Chester, Pa.)

Release Date: 7/12/2000
Contact Information: Bonnie Smith (215) 814-5543

Bonnie Smith, 215-814-5543

WEST CHESTER, Pa. - Substantial progress has been made in reducing water pollution from major dischargers since the Clean Water Act was passed 25 years ago. Yet, 40 percent of the country’s rivers, lakes, and streams do not meet the Clean Water Act goal of being safe for fishing and swimming.
This is the case in the Christina watershed including portions of the Christina River, Brandywine Creek, White Clay Creek, Red Clay Creek and Buck Run. The state has identified these waters as impaired and water quality improvement plans called Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) must be developed.

To help citizens participate in water quality improvement and explain the analysis that has been completed on the pollution levels in these water bodies at low flow, there will be several public information sessions in the Christina watershed.

A public information meeting will be held on July 18 at 7 p.m. in the Government Services Center, 601 Westtown Road in West Chester, Pa. and the formal public hearing will be held at this same location on August 29 from 7 p.m until 9 p.m. The comment period for written comments will begin on August 1 and close September 15, 2000.

On July 19 a public meeting will also be held in Wilmington at 7 p.m. in the Carvel State Office Building, at 820 North French Street and a public hearing on August 30 (location to be determined). For additional background on the analysis, our website is www.epa.gov/reg3wapd/christina/index.htm .

Each water quality improvement plan will include all the contributors of pollution - - from point sources (such as factories or sewage plants that discharge into a river) and non- point sources (including agricultural and urban runoff) plus a margin of safety. The water quality improvement plans will be useful in setting pollution reduction goals from specific sources in a community or watershed.

Each water quality improvement plan addresses a single pollutant, such as phosphorus or copper. If a river or creek is impaired by multiple pollutants, then multiple plans will need to be developed, one for each pollutant exceeding water quality standards

For additional information regarding the upcoming meeting or the public hearing, call Bill Toffel at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 215-814-5706.