The Willistown Conservation Trust recently released its State of our Streams Report, Understanding Water Quality in the Headwaters of Darby, Crum, and Ridley Creeks, made possible by the William Penn Foundation. After four years of study, the Trust found impaired water quality at all ten sample sites. The water chemistry analysis demonstrated elevated chloride concentrations, excess nitrogen and phosphorus, and high water temperatures. They conclude, “There are a variety of causes for this pollution, and human activity is the primary driver. Elevated chloride concentrations are a result of winter road salts making their way into our waterways. High levels of nitrogen and phosphorous levels are likely a result of fertilizer runoff, animal waste, and leaky septic and sewer systems. High water temperatures can be linked to tree and shrub shade removal along streams, stormwater flowing over hot impervious surfaces, and hotter summers and heat waves.” To find out what you can do to help keep our local waterways healthy, check out this WCT article: What’s Flowing on in our Streams How we can keep our waterways healthy for all.