Pennsylvania waterways show widespread E. coli contamination

A report by the PennEnvironment Research and Policy Center has revealed widespread E. coli contamination across Pennsylvania's waterways. The study found that approximately 55% of the 653 rivers, streams, and lakes sampled over a two-year period showed potentially hazardous levels of fecal contamination at least once.

In the Philadelphia region, the findings were particularly significant. Testing along the Delaware River showed elevated bacteria levels at 37 of 43 locations, with 12 sites exceeding unsafe levels on every day tested. Other affected areas included Pennypack Creek, Poquessing Creek, and the Schuylkill River, which showed unsafe levels on 73%, 57%, and 55% of tested days, respectively.

In other parts of the state, a tributary of House Run in Greene County exceeded safety standards on six out of eight days. In Chester County, parts of Brandywine Creek and Big Elk Creek reportedly showed unsafe levels 100% of the time. The nonprofit is using these findings to advocate for policy changes aimed at reducing sewage overflows to protect recreational users such as swimmers, paddlers, and anglers.