Greta Jimenez
The Delaware River has long been plagued by pollution, with the tidal reaches of its urban centers being a particular cause for concern. Since the early 18th century, rapid population growth and increased industrial activities have contributed to severe pollution in the river. While there have been significant improvements over the years, the river continues to face environmental challenges. In recent times, it has been recognized as one of the most polluted waterways in the United States, with high levels of toxic algae, fecal bacteria, nitrogen, phosphorus, pesticides, PCBs, dioxins, and plastic pollution. The impact of this pollution on the river ecosystem and the surrounding communities is significant, and it remains a pressing issue that requires attention and remediation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pollution sources | Oil refineries, chemical plants, slaughterhouses, agricultural runoff, sewage, industrial waste, plastic |
| Pollutants | Fecal bacteria, nitrogen, phosphorus, pesticides, PCBs, dioxins, ammonia, microplastics |
| Affected area | 97% of Delaware's assessed waterways, 100% of assessed estuaries |
| Impact | Not suitable for wildlife or human recreation, endangers the Atlantic Sturgeon, causes waterborne illnesses |
| Action taken | Clean Water Act, DRBC's water quality standards and regulations, wastewater treatment plant upgrades, phosphate detergent bans, Special Protection Waters program |
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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
- The Delaware River is the leading source of plastics pollution in North America
- The Clean Water Act's impact on the river
- The river's pollution problem and the PWD's response
- The Environmental Integrity Project's report on Delaware's rivers and streams
- The Delaware River Basin Commission's work to clean up the river
The Delaware River is the leading source of plastics pollution in North America
The Delaware River, once a stinking mess, has been identified as the leading source of plastics pollution in North America. In a study of 1,000 rivers worldwide, the Delaware River was found to be the leading source of macroplastics pollution in the Atlantic Ocean. The report, published in the journal "Science Advances", revealed that the river contributes 141 tons of plastic pollution to the Atlantic Ocean per year. This accounts for over 283,000 pounds of plastic waste annually, which is alarming for a river that is home to more than 7.7 million people.
The high levels of plastic pollution in the Delaware River are attributed to various factors, including littering, industrial pollution, and residential and commercial waste. The river's water and sewage infrastructure struggled to keep up with the rapid growth in the late 1990s and early 2000s, resulting in inadequate waste management. Additionally, the river receives pollutants from oil refineries, chemical plants, and slaughterhouses, further contributing to the plastic pollution problem.
The presence of microplastics, resulting from the breakdown of larger plastics, poses a significant threat to aquatic life. These tiny plastic fragments can be ingested by organisms, filling their digestive systems and reducing their growth rate. Microplastics can also enter the food chain, eventually reaching humans through the consumption of fish. The removal and prevention of macroplastics in waterways are crucial to reducing the presence of microplastics and protecting the health of both wildlife and people.
Efforts are being made to address the plastic pollution in the Delaware River. The nonprofit group The Ocean Cleanup is developing technologies to rid oceans of macroplastics, and they plan to test a device in the Delaware River to capture plastics. Additionally, the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) has been actively monitoring and studying microplastics in the river since 2018. They have organized cleanups in known plastic pollution hotspots and aim to increase public awareness to reduce plastic loadings.
The Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) has also recognized the pollution problem and is taking steps to address it. However, their initial approach involved scare tactics and financial threats, which were criticized for creating a false narrative and reducing confidence in their ability to manage the city's aging water system. PWD is now focusing on upgrading its wastewater treatment plants and exploring solutions to make the river cleaner and healthier.
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The Clean Water Act's impact on the river
The Clean Water Act has had a significant impact on the Delaware River, helping to improve water quality and reduce pollution. The Act, passed in the early 1970s, provided a legal framework and funding for cleaning up industrial pollutants and sewage in major waterways. It also set wastewater standards for industries and offered funding for cities and states to upgrade their sewage treatment plants.
Prior to the Clean Water Act, the Delaware River was heavily polluted, with industrial waste and raw sewage flowing into the river untreated. This led to a lack of oxygen in the water, making it impossible for fish and other aquatic life to survive. The river was so polluted that it was described as a “stinking mess” and was not a place where people wanted to be.
The Clean Water Act helped to transform the Delaware River by providing funding for upgrades to sewage treatment plants and requiring the use of biological science to treat wastewater. This led to a significant improvement in water quality, with fish and other aquatic life returning to the river. Today, the river is a year-round attraction for recreation and other activities.
However, despite the improvements brought about by the Clean Water Act, there are still challenges to ensuring clean water in the Delaware River. For example, the wastewater treatment plants along the river are old and use outdated technology, which can result in dangerous substances being dumped into the river. In addition, climate change presents new threats to water quality, such as increased temperatures and rising sea levels.
Overall, the Clean Water Act has had a positive impact on the Delaware River, but continued efforts are needed to address remaining pollution issues and protect the health of the waterway.
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The river's pollution problem and the PWD's response
The Delaware River has been a victim of pollution for centuries. By the early eighteenth century, pollution in the river was a recognised problem, largely due to rapid population growth and increased industrial activities. The river was considered an open sewer for public and industrial waste, and the water was so foul-smelling and polluted that it would turn the paint of ships brown. People fell sick from the stench, and the river became a dead zone for aquatic life.
In 1961, the Delaware River Basin Compact was signed, creating the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC), a federal-interstate agency to address river planning, development, and regulation, with a focus on water quality. The DRBC made significant progress, and by the late 1980s, over a billion dollars had been spent on improving wastewater treatment facilities, benefiting communities and strengthening fish populations. The Clean Water Act, passed in 1972, also played a crucial role in providing funding for upgrades to wastewater treatment plants and reducing raw human waste.
However, despite these efforts, the Delaware River continues to face pollution issues. In 2022, a report revealed that Delaware has the highest percentage of impaired rivers and streams in the United States. The river is contaminated with pollutants like fecal bacteria, nitrogen, phosphorus, pesticides, PCBs, and dioxins. The wastewater treatment plants along the river are old and use outdated technology, releasing pollutants like ammonia into the water. This has led to a decrease in oxygen levels, making the river unsuitable for wildlife and recreational activities.
The Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) has proposed building a sidestream treatment facility to reduce the ammonia load, but their scare tactics and financial threats have been criticised. Instead of fear-mongering, PWD should focus on finding solutions to make the river cleaner and utilise available resources. The EPA and DRBC, the major government agencies overseeing the river, agree that stronger water quality standards and increased dissolved oxygen levels are essential for restoring wildlife and supporting recreational activities.
The river's pollution problem is also exacerbated by plastics pollution. A 2021 study identified the Delaware River as the leading source of macroplastics pollution in the Atlantic Ocean, contributing 141 tons of plastic pollution annually. Microplastics, tiny plastic fragments that pose a hazard to aquatic life and enter the human food chain, are also a significant concern.
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The Environmental Integrity Project's report on Delaware's rivers and streams
According to the report, 97% of Delaware's 1,104 miles of assessed waterways are impaired for one or more uses, including swimming, recreation, aquatic life, fish consumption, and drinking. The report also finds that 100% of the state's 775 square miles of assessed estuaries are impaired. These waterways are contaminated with pollutants such as fecal bacteria, nitrogen, phosphorus, pesticides, PCBs, and dioxins. The high levels of pollution are attributed to various sources, including oil refineries, chemical plants, slaughterhouses, and agricultural runoff.
The Environmental Integrity Project calls for stronger action to address the pollution in Delaware's waterways. They recommend that Congress and the EPA take steps to strengthen the Clean Water Act and close loopholes for agricultural runoff and other "non-point" sources of pollution. They also highlight the need for improved technology-based standards for pollution control systems, as the current standards have not been updated in decades.
The report's findings have significant implications for public health and the environment. Maria Payan, an activist with the Socially Responsible Agriculture Project, emphasizes the impact on the community, stating that it is "beyond belief that so many here in our beautiful state cannot pour a glass of clean water, cook or bathe their children in clean water." The pollution also threatens wildlife, including the endangered Atlantic Sturgeon, which requires higher dissolved oxygen levels to thrive.
Overall, the Environmental Integrity Project's report sheds light on the urgent need to address the pollution in Delaware's rivers and streams. It calls for a combination of social need, public outcry, political will, and increased funding to improve water quality and protect the health and well-being of communities and wildlife dependent on these waterways.
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The Delaware River Basin Commission's work to clean up the river
The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) was formed in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, who signed the Delaware River Basin Compact. The commission includes the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Delaware, as well as the federal government. Its primary objectives are river planning, development, and regulation, with a focus on water quality.
The DRBC has played a crucial role in improving water quality in the Delaware River Basin. The commission's regulatory efforts, combined with federal funding for wastewater infrastructure upgrades and coordinated water quality management, have led to significant progress. The Clean Water Act, which was passed 50 years ago, has been a vital component in the restoration of the Delaware River. The Act made it illegal to discharge any pollutants into waterways without an EPA permit and set wastewater standards for industries.
The DRBC has been actively working towards reducing pollution and increasing dissolved oxygen levels in the river, which are essential for the survival of wildlife, including the endangered Atlantic Sturgeon. The commission is also studying ways to improve recreation in the river's urban waters to support activities like swimming, which is currently limited due to high bacteria levels.
In addition to their regulatory and environmental efforts, the DRBC staff also contributes to local community initiatives. They have consistently volunteered at Palmyra Cove Nature Park, located north of Philadelphia and Camden, to clean up trash along the tidal Delaware River shoreline. This not only improves the aesthetics of the area but also enhances water quality and habitat for wildlife.
The DRBC's work has transformed the Delaware River, which was once a stinking mess with no fish, into a reborn river that supports thriving fish populations and recreational activities. Their ongoing commitment to collaboration and water quality improvements demonstrates their dedication to ensuring a clean and healthy river for all stakeholders.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Delaware River is polluted. In fact, it is considered one of the most polluted rivers in the United States.
The pollution in the Delaware River is caused by a variety of factors, including outdated wastewater treatment plants, agricultural runoff, industrial pollution, and littering. Specifically, the Delaware River is the leading source of plastics pollution in North America.
There have been several efforts to address the pollution in the Delaware River. The Clean Water Act, passed in 1972, provided funding for upgrades to wastewater treatment plants and helped reduce raw sewage and industrial pollution. The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) has also implemented various programs and regulations to improve water quality, including the Special Protection Waters (SPW) program and the Delaware Estuary Toxics Management Program. Additionally, the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) is planning to build a sidestream treatment facility to reduce ammonia pollution.
