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Sources of Pollution in Ridley Creek
Sediment, nutrients, and increasing temperatures are all forms of pollution which impact Ridley Creek, and may affect its uses as a drinking water source and recreational resource.
Sediment Pollution
Sediment, and the corresponding nutrients that bond to it, is the largest single pollutant threatening Ridley Creek.
Its primary source is streambank erosion caused by excessive stormwater runoff from increased impervious surfaces and reduced tree canopy
Sediment carries nutrients into the stream flow and buries desirable aquatic habitat
Sediment leaving construction sites during rainstorms is also a source of pollution
Nutrient Pollution
Sources of nutrient pollution (nitrogen and phosphorus) in Ridley Creek include:
Two public waste water treatment plants, which are not currently required to remove nitrogen and phosphorus from their discharged effluent
Fertilizer
Geese
Septic systems
Pasturing and domestic animals.
The use of land application methods for removal of nitrogen and phosphorus by East Goshen Township’s Waste Water Treatment Facility and other smaller treatment plants keeps these nutrients at relatively low levels upstream of the Media wastewater plant. The Media Waste Water Treatment facility (368,000 gallons per day of treated wastewater discharge to Ridley Creek) does not currently have nutrient removal capability.
What are dissolved oxygen standards?
Temperature Effects
Ridley Creek is generally too warm to be designated a Cold Water Fishery, but most of Ridley Creek meets the Trout Stocking Fishery temperature criteria. Dams and ponds on private properties in the upper watershed, the loss of tree canopy along streams, and reduced base flows from increased impervious surfaces, have all contributed to elevated summer temperatures and consequentially conditions less favorable for wild trout and other cold water fish.
What are temperature criteria?
What are dissolved oxygen criteria?