Brian Barton
The Delaware River has a long history of pollution, dating back to the early 18th century. By the 20th century, the river was notoriously foul-smelling and unfit for aquatic life. The Clean Water Act, passed 50 years ago, played a pivotal role in improving water quality. However, pollution persists, with high levels of fecal bacteria, nitrogen, phosphorus, pesticides, PCBs, dioxins, and dangerous chemicals like ammonia. The river's water treatment plants are aging and employ outdated technology, contributing to the issue. Despite some progress, parts of the river remain unfit for swimming and fishing, underscoring the ongoing challenge of restoring the Delaware River to a healthy state.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fecal bacteria | High levels found within 2,500 feet of a combined sewer outfall |
| Combined sewer outfall | Large underground pipes that empty stormwater into streams and rivers |
| Water quality | Varies across sites and by month; generally worse during wetter months |
| Pollution | Ammonia, PCBs, pesticides, dioxins, and PFAS chemicals |
| Sewage treatment plants | Old and using outdated technology; failing to capture all pollution |
| Funding | Federal funding available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, but not enough to cover all costs |
| Environmental impact | Impaired aquatic life, fish consumption, and drinking water quality |
| Clean Water Act | Passed 50 years ago to regulate industrial pollution and sewage in waterways |
| Delaware River Basin Commission | Established in 1961 to address river planning, development, and regulation, with a focus on water quality |
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![Pesticide compounds in streamwater in the Delaware River basin, December 1998-August 2001 / by R. Edward Hickman. 2004 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61IX47b4r9L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
Industrial pollution and sewage
The Delaware River has a long history of pollution, with the issue becoming prominent by the early 18th century. Over the next two centuries, rapid population growth and increased industrial activities led to severe pollution. By the mid-20th century, the river was so polluted that it was considered an open sewer for public and industrial waste. The water was foul-smelling, and the paint on docked ships turned brown. The river's high levels of bacteria consumed oxygen, leaving little for fish to breathe, and resulting in a sharp decline in migratory fish populations.
Industrial activities contributed significantly to the pollution of the Delaware River. Oil refineries, chemical plants, and slaughterhouses discharged waste into the river, including blood from slaughterhouses, oil from refineries, and toxic waste from chemical companies. Acidic industrial waste lowered the pH of the river, and high levels of bacteria resulted in oxygen depletion, creating dead zones devoid of aquatic life.
Sewage treatment plants also played a significant role in polluting the Delaware River. In 1964, about a million pounds of waste entered the river daily, with over 60% coming from sewage treatment plants. Philadelphia, Camden, and Wilmington were the top contributors. The Clean Water Act, enacted in the 1970s, was instrumental in addressing this issue. It made it illegal to dump pollutants into waterways without a permit and set wastewater standards for industries. The Act provided funding for upgrades to sewage treatment plants, requiring municipalities to treat their waste using biological science before discharging it into the river.
Despite these efforts, pollution from sewage and industrial sources remains a concern. Environmental groups continue to push for stricter pollution-control standards and tighter controls on sewage overflows and industrial discharges. The Clean Water Act has faced criticism for its weaknesses in addressing certain sources of pollution, such as agricultural runoff and "non-point" sources.
Additionally, the Delaware River is now recognised as the largest source of plastics pollution in North America. A 2021 peer-reviewed study identified it as one of the top 1,000 river inputs worldwide that contribute to 80% of the plastic pollution in the oceans. The high level of vessel traffic and industrial activities in the area are considered contributing factors to this issue.
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Slaughterhouses and factory farms
The Environmental Integrity Project has identified the state's large number of slaughterhouses and factory farms as part of the problem of water pollution in Delaware. These facilities have sprayed wastewater with high levels of fecal bacteria onto corn fields, ultimately contaminating drinking water. In addition, slaughterhouses and factory farms can pollute waterways by sending their waste to sewage treatment plants that discharge into waterways or by attracting or sustaining highly polluting factory farms to a watershed.
The Clean Water Act, signed into law 50 years ago, has helped reduce pollution in the Delaware River by providing funding for upgrades to wastewater treatment plants and requiring municipalities to treat their waste before discharging it into the river. However, there are weaknesses in the law that have left some waterways tainted. For example, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not updated decades-old pollution standards to protect the public from pollution discharged by slaughterhouses and other industrial facilities. The EPA last updated pollution standards for the largest slaughterhouses in 2004, while other slaughterhouses are only required to meet federal standards set 44 years ago.
Factory farms, or industrial livestock 'megafarms', are also contributing to river pollution in the UK. These farms produce an overwhelming amount of waste, more than 50,000 tonnes per day, and this waste contains high levels of nitrates and phosphates. This pollution causes algal blooms that suck up oxygen in the water and block sunlight from reaching the riverbed, killing fish and other wildlife. In addition, antimicrobial resistance bacteria and increased levels of respiratory diseases have been linked to water pollution from factory farms.
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Outdated treatment plants
The Delaware River has long suffered from pollution, and despite improvements, it continues to be an issue. The river's pollution problem is caused by a variety of factors, including outdated treatment plants, which struggle to keep up with demand and effectively treat wastewater.
The Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) has come under scrutiny for its handling of the situation. PWD operates three wastewater treatment plants on the river, which have been criticised for using outdated technology. These plants are significant contributors to the river's pollution, particularly concerning dissolved oxygen levels. Dissolved oxygen levels in the river are too low to support the survival of the young of an endangered species, the Atlantic sturgeon. The main cause of this is the high levels of ammonia discharged into the river by the treatment plants.
The PWD has been accused of spreading misinformation and employing scare tactics to mislead customers and policymakers. The department claimed that complying with new water quality standards and upgrading its treatment plants would result in exorbitant rate increases, which has now been exposed as false. The upgrades are necessary to reduce the amount of ammonia discharged into the river and to improve overall water quality.
Upgrading the treatment plants is expected to cost around $3 billion, which PWD alleged would result in rate increases of $265 per year. However, these estimates have been criticised as outdated and based on false assumptions. The true cost of upgrading the plants may be lower, and PWD's attempts to fear-monger have damaged public trust.
The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) has identified municipal wastewater treatment plants as significant contributors to the dissolved oxygen problem. The DRBC has implemented regulations and monitoring programs to protect water quality and prevent degradation. They require approval for new or expanding industrial and municipal wastewater treatment plants that discharge a certain volume of wastewater. Additionally, models have been developed to predict changes to water quality and establish discharge limits for priority tributaries.
The river's pollution problem is complex and multifaceted, and it will require a combination of social need, public outcry, and political will to bring about significant change.
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High levels of bacteria
The Delaware River has a long history of pollution, dating back to the early 18th century. By the 20th century, the river was notoriously foul-smelling, with no fish able to survive. The Clean Water Act, passed 50 years ago, has helped to improve water quality, but the river continues to face significant pollution issues, including high levels of bacteria.
Fecal bacteria, in particular, have been a persistent problem in the Delaware River. A recent study by the UPenn Water Center found that bacteria levels varied across different sites and months, with the highest levels found within 2,500 feet of combined sewer outfalls. These outfalls are large underground pipes that discharge stormwater and sewage into the river, contributing to high bacteria counts along the shoreline. The report also noted that water quality tends to be worse during wetter months, as pollution from combined sewer outfalls is more likely to occur during periods of heavy rainfall.
The presence of high levels of fecal bacteria in the Delaware River is attributed to several factors. Firstly, the river's wastewater treatment plants have been criticized for using outdated technology, which fails to effectively capture and treat pollutants before discharging water back into the river. This has resulted in the release of dangerous substances, such as ammonia, which reduce oxygen levels and make the river uninhabitable for most wildlife. Secondly, there has been a history of agricultural and industrial runoff into the river, with slaughterhouses, factory farms, and oil refineries identified as significant sources of pollution.
To address the issue of high bacterial levels, several strategies have been proposed. The UPenn Water Center report recommended advocating for more funding and accelerated investments in green stormwater infrastructure. Additionally, they suggested developing a community science monitoring network to better inform the public about bacteria levels. Low-cost solutions, such as netting to trap litter and inlet filters, were also proposed to immediately address bacterial pollution.
While progress has been made, the Delaware River still faces challenges in reducing bacterial pollution. The report estimated that it could take another 15 years for cities to achieve their goals of significantly reducing sewage spills and improving water quality. In the meantime, residents are advised to follow restrictions on swimming and boating in certain areas of the river to protect their health and safety.
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Lack of funding for improvements
The Delaware River has long been a site of industrial pollution, with the Clean Water Act of 1972 being a pivotal moment in its history. The Act provided the legal framework and funding for states to build wastewater infrastructure, which led to significant improvements in water quality. However, decades later, the river still faces pollution issues, and a lack of funding for improvements remains a critical challenge.
The river's pollution problem is multi-faceted, with various sources of contamination. Fecal bacteria, nitrogen, phosphorus, pesticides, PCBs, dioxins, and dangerous substances like ammonia are among the pollutants found in the water. These pollutants have severe ecological consequences, including a lack of oxygen in the water, which makes the river unsuitable for most wildlife and certain species, such as the endangered Atlantic Sturgeon.
While there has been progress, the river's sewage treatment plants, managed by the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), continue to struggle with outdated technology and infrastructure. PWD has come under fire for its scare tactics and financial threats, suggesting that improving water quality will lead to exorbitant rate increases. However, experts argue that upgrading the treatment plants is necessary and can be achieved without raising water rates. The estimated cost of remediating the combined sewer overflow in the Delaware River alone is about $2 billion, a significant financial challenge.
The high costs of upgrading infrastructure and implementing new technologies act as a barrier to progress. While federal funding is available through programs like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, it is not sufficient to cover the extensive costs. Municipalities are faced with the challenge of financing multiple environmental goals, including the elimination of dangerous PFAS chemicals and the replacement of lead pipes. As a result, improvements are slow, and the river continues to suffer the consequences of pollution.
The situation is further complicated by the river's complex history and the involvement of various stakeholders. The river flows through multiple states, each with its own impaired waterways and unique challenges. For example, in New Jersey, 97% of estuaries and 95% of rivers and streams are impaired, contributing to the overall pollution of the Delaware River. This highlights the need for coordinated efforts and sufficient funding to address the issues effectively.
In conclusion, while there have been past successes in improving the Delaware River's water quality, a lack of funding for improvements remains a critical barrier to addressing its ongoing pollution issues. Insufficient funding leads to delays in upgrading infrastructure, adopting new technologies, and implementing effective solutions. As a result, the river continues to suffer from pollution, and the health and ecological consequences persist.
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Frequently asked questions
The Delaware River is currently polluted and unfit for human recreation and wildlife habitation.
Pollution in the Delaware River is caused by a variety of factors, including industrial waste, agricultural runoff, sewage, and chemical pollutants.
The Delaware River contains high levels of fecal bacteria, nitrogen, phosphorus, pesticides, PCBs, dioxins, and ammonia.
The Clean Water Act was passed to regulate industrial pollution and sewage in waterways. The Delaware River Basin Commission was formed to address river planning, development, and regulation, with a focus on water quality. There are also ongoing efforts to implement new water quality standards and improve wastewater treatment processes.
People can support initiatives and organizations working towards improving water quality, such as the Environmental Integrity Project and the Delaware River Basin Commission. Individuals can also reduce their own impact on the environment by properly disposing of waste and reducing the use of harmful chemicals.
