Meghan Hodges
The Schuylkill River has long been a site of industry, with waste from coal plants and oil refineries poisoning the drinking water of those who rely on it. The river has a reputation for being polluted, and while it is much cleaner than it used to be, it still ranks poorly for chemical pollution. The river's polluted murk is said to shelter dumped bodies and other cast-off crimes, and its strong undercurrents make it dangerous for swimming or fishing. However, there are efforts being made to combat pollution and restore the river to its healthy, natural state.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pollution | Toxic chemicals, industrial waste, sewage, coal mining discharges, stormwater runoff, pesticides, fertilizers, salt, oil, trash, floating plastics, acid mine drainage, heavy metals |
| Water Quality | Water too dirty for swimming or fishing, strong undercurrents, high bacteria levels |
| Environmental Impact | Loss of aquatic life, unsafe for recreational use, unsafe for fish consumption, unsafe for potable water |
| Pollution Sources | Industrial uses, coal mining operations, urban runoff, agricultural runoff, habitat modification |
| Pollution Reduction Efforts | Green City program, skimmer boats, planting trees, cleaning up watershed, rain gardens, rain barrels |
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What You'll Learn
Pollution from heavy industry
The Schuylkill River has long been a site of industry, with coal plants and oil refineries poisoning the water and those that rely on it for drinking water. In 1898, pollution of the Schuylkill was already visible and killing vegetation. By 1945, sediment had clogged the river to the point where Philadelphia's residents claimed it hardly resembled water.
The river's pollution has been attributed to coal mining, acid mine drainage, urban runoff, storm sewers, habitat modification, agriculture, and the removal of riparian vegetation. The process of removing impurities from anthracite requires large amounts of water, which is then blackened by the coal and dumped back into the river. This has led to increased sedimentation, which can cloud the water, reducing the amount of sunlight that reaches underwater plants. It can also clog fish gills and kill fish larvae.
In addition to coal mining, oil refineries have also contributed significantly to the river's pollution. The PES refinery explosion in 2019 led to high levels of benzene emissions, though these have since dropped, and the refinery has shut down.
The Schuylkill Basin, which includes the river, is heavily dotted with industrial uses, particularly former coal mining operations. Water fills the mines, producing acid mine drainage, which further reduces the water's pH and turns it a rusty orange color.
While the river is much cleaner than it used to be, it still faces significant pollution challenges. Heavy industry has receded from the riverbanks, but the water still requires treatment, and environmentalists are pushing for more action from the city to reduce stormwater runoff and upgrade treatment plants.
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The Clean Water Act
The Schuylkill River has long been a site of industry, with waste from coal plants and oil refineries poisoning the water that Philadelphians rely on for drinking. The riverbed has become a dumping ground for bodies and other refuse, and the water is filled with pollutants and toxic chemicals.
However, the river is not a lost cause. The Clean Water Act (CWA) was established to regulate the discharge of pollutants into the waters of the United States and set quality standards for surface waters. The basis of the CWA was enacted in 1948 as the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, but it was significantly reorganized and expanded in 1972, taking on the name "Clean Water Act".
The CWA made it illegal to discharge any pollutant from a point source into navigable waters without a permit. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has implemented pollution control programs, such as setting wastewater standards for industry, and developed national water quality criteria recommendations. The Office of Water (OW) works to ensure safe drinking water and restore and maintain oceans, watersheds, and aquatic ecosystems to protect human health and the environment.
In Philadelphia, the Green City program, introduced in 2011, aims to significantly reduce pollution in the Schuylkill River by 2036. The Restoring the River Action Team, a collaborative of nonprofits, is also working to address the issue. While the river still has a long way to go, there are signs of improvement, with reports of increased fish, bird, turtle, and mussel populations, as well as more recreational activities on and around the river.
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Environmental degradation
The Schuylkill River has long been a site of industry, with waste from coal plants and oil refineries poisoning the water. The riverbed has been described as a "site of impenetrable mystery", sheltering dumped bodies and other cast-off crimes. The story of the Schuylkill River is one of environmental degradation and neglect, with communities constantly sidelined and ignored.
The river has a reputation for being polluted, and while it is much cleaner than it used to be, it still ranks poorly in terms of chemical pollution. In 2021, it was ranked as the third most polluted waterway in Pennsylvania for cumulative toxic discharges and 49th in the nation. The river and its tributaries also rank high for discharges of reproductive toxicants, chemicals that disrupt reproduction.
The Clean Water Act helped to clean up a lot of the heavy industrial pollutants that were sent to the river before the 1970s, but experts say there is still cause for concern. The river is affected by stormwater runoff, which carries pollutants such as sediment, trash, pesticides, fertilizers, and oil. Acid mine drainage is also a significant issue, with water filling abandoned mines and producing highly acidic water that leaks into the river. The high levels of iron, aluminum, and manganese in the water can be toxic to aquatic life and affect the pH levels needed by many species to survive.
Despite these challenges, efforts to combat pollution are making a difference. The Green City program, introduced in 2011, aims to significantly reduce pollution by 2036. Skimmer boats are also being used to scoop out floating trash and plastics, with each vessel collecting 1.1 tons of plastic per year. The river has come alive for fish, birds, turtles, mussels, and the people who recreate in and around it.
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Acid mine drainage
The Schuylkill River has long been a site of industry, with waste from coal plants and oil refineries poisoning the water. The river's polluted murk has been described as a site of impenetrable mystery, sheltering dumped bodies and other cast-off crimes.
The West Branch Schuylkill River and the Upper Schuylkill River are two areas where AMD has impacted water quality. Data collected by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) from 1996 to 2003 includes pH levels and the concentration of iron, aluminum, and manganese.
Limestone drains are often used to treat AMD, but their effectiveness decreases when AMD contains high levels of dissolved iron. This is because the lifetime of limestone drains in these cases depends on the rate of precipitation of iron hydroxide.
Despite the Schuylkill River's history of pollution, there are signs of improvement. Environmentalists have noted the return of fish, birds, turtles, mussels, and increased recreational activities in and around the river. The river is also home to a renowned running and biking trail that showcases its natural beauty.
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Stormwater runoff
The Stormwater Workgroup, a part of the Schuylkill Action Network, focuses on mitigating the impacts of stormwater runoff. They promote and implement best management practices (BMPs) to effectively plan, educate, collaborate, and steward the river. One way to manage stormwater runoff is by planting rain gardens or trees, which increase the green surface area that soaks up excess water. Another method is to install rain barrels at the end of gutters to collect rainwater for later use.
Agricultural practices also contribute to stormwater runoff, as sedimentation occurs when soil runs off farms and into the water, carrying contaminants such as fertilizers, pesticides, and heavy metals. Farmers can help decrease sedimentation by implementing management practices that control the volume of runoff water and prevent soil erosion. Additionally, abandoned mine drainage, a common issue in former mining regions, pollutes rivers and streams with acidic water and heavy metals.
The Schuylkill River, with its history as one of the most utilized rivers during the Industrial Revolution, faces the challenge of abandoned coal mines that leak acid, heavy metals, and other pollutants into nearby creeks that feed into the river. Climate change further exacerbates the issue of stormwater runoff, as heavier storms increase the volume of water flowing into the river. Despite these challenges, collaborative efforts between various organizations and government agencies are working towards improving the water quality and mitigating the impacts of stormwater runoff on the Schuylkill River.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Schuylkill River is polluted. In 2021, a report ranked it as the third most polluted waterway in Pennsylvania for cumulative toxic discharges. The river has a history of industrial waste, sewage, and coal mining discharges being deposited directly into it.
The Schuylkill River is much cleaner than it used to be. The 20th century saw fierce battles for regulatory laws against pollution of the river. The Clean Water Act helped clean up a lot of the heavy industrial pollutants sent to the river before the 1970s. The city of Philadelphia has also been using skimmer boats to scoop out floating trash and plastics, with each vessel collecting 1.1 tons of plastic per year.
Swimming in the Schuylkill River is not recommended. The river has strong undercurrents, and the water is too dirty for swimming due to high bacteria levels. There have been incidents of people drowning in the river, with community leaders calling for more warning signs to be installed.
