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Impaired Reaches

Seventeen miles of Chester Creek are listed as impaired reaches not attaining their designation water quality designations and uses.  They are:

• Goose Creek: Due to alteration of natural stream (hydrologic) flows, sedimentation, and municipal point sources, this large tributary does not meet its modest standards for Warm Water Fisheries.  Goose Creek has also been listed as impaired for fecal coliform based on the 2003-2004 CRC/DEP Goose Creek Study, which found average levels significantly in excess of standards.
• East Branch of Chester Creek from the confluence with Goose Creek in Thornbury to the confluence with Rocky Run, and
• A  section of the Main Branch in Brookhaven below the Southwest Municipal Treatment plant.

The goal of the Clean Water Act is to address these failing segments, and eventually get them up to standards.

A Restoration Plan (TMDL) for Chester Creek in the works

The nonattaining (failing) sections of Chester Creek are now the focus of several TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load) studies being completed by DEP and EPA.  TMDL is a scientific determination of the assimilation capacity and the required reduction for specific pollutants impacting an impaired stream to bring it up to standards for its designated uses.   

The required pollutants loading will be allocated to discharge permits for industry and municipal and private waste water treatment plants to the extent possible, with the remaining required reduction will be allocated to stormwater runoff discharged through municipal storm sewers systems.  These targets will most likely require municipalities to require changes in existing stormwater facilities and municipal ordinances. 

TMDLs are presently being developed for Chester Creek for sediment and phosphorus.  To view information about completed TMDLs for the Brandywine and other Pennsylvania streams, see the EPA TMDL.  To be on a contact list for the next Chester Creek TMDL meeting with DEP and EPA, contact CRC.