WATER  ISSUES IN NEW HANOVER              

            Water is something that many of us take for granted.  We shouldn’t!  Both the availability and quality of this critical (and limited) resource should be at the forefront of our thoughts as we go through our daily lives.  It is also important to remember that we share our environment with a multitude of animals and plants that are dependent upon this resource. Many of these species are involved in the processes of recharging and purifying our groundwater reserves.  Following is an overview of initiatives intended to insure that this important resource is protected in perpetuity.  If you would like to learn more, you can go to our listing of selected environmental websites.   

            Many residents are aware of the flooding problems that plague certain areas of the township.  While periodic flooding is to be expected in low lying areas adjacent to major waterways, frequency and magnitude have certainly been significantly impacted as development continues unabated.  Yes, flooded basements and impassable roads affect many of us.  Then the rain stops and the problems go away, right?  Nope!  Originally, a significant amount of the precipitation infiltrated and helped to recharge the groundwater.  Surface vegetation helps to impede surface flow velocities providing increased time for infiltration.  Associated with development there is an unavoidable increase in impermeable area - buildings, roads, and parking lots.   Much of the water that would otherwise have infiltrated is now flowing directly across the surface or through outdated and improperly maintained stormwater management systems to creeks that can’t handle the volume.  The results include surface erosion, creek bank erosion, waterway sedimentation (impeding stream flow and exacerbating the flooding problems) and chemical contamination.   

            The United States Environmental Protection Agency has mandated that all states  develop a program to monitor and regulate stormwater runoff.  In Pennsylvania the Department of Environmental Protection has developed a sample ordinance to serve as a guide for townships to enact a comprehensive stormwater ordinance.  These new rules will, among other things, stipulate that: 

- developers incorporate best management practices (BMP’s) for stormwater runoff so as to minimize the impact upon  local waterways.

- post-development infiltration  (recharge of groundwater) is neither polluted nor significantly reduced.

- runoff channeled into local waterways be monitored for environmental contaminants.  If problems are noted, municipalities will need to take action to effect remediation.     

    Swamp Creek, one of the larger waterways in New Hanover Township, has been significantly impacted by post development stormwater runoff.  An act 167 study is being completed for the Swamp Creek watershed in an attempt to stem further damage.

             The federal Clean Water Act requires that all states compile lists of all streams, rivers and lakes with an assessment of their health.  Pennsylvania is well on its way toward completion of this mandate.  About 15 percent of the state’s streams have been found to be impaired by some kind of pollution and several of them are in our area.  For the current list of impaired water bodies use the direct link “303d” from the DEP’s home page.   

            The Planning Commission of Montgomery County is in the process of developing a comprehensive integrated resource plan (IRP) which will provide an invaluable planning tool for officials at the local level.  Once completed, the IRP will enable townships to enact ordinances that balance developmental pressures and available water resources.  An IRP is a comprehensive approach to water resource management and considers such issues as water supply, in stream uses, resource protection, water quality, land use and economic impacts.  A major goal is to balance water supply needs with environmental protection.  Of particular interest to New Hanover Township is that the Swamp-Scioto Creek watershed was chosen for Phase I of this study.  The Swamp-Scioto subbasin originates in the township and that portion that occurs here comprises approximately one fifth of the total watershed area in NHT.  Phase I has been completed and the report is available for review at the municipal building.  It is expected that the results of this pilot study will enable a process for the assessment of water resources and existing uses of water in Montgomery County.  For your reference, neighboring Chester County  has already published its “Watersheds” plan.  

            The Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy and the Natural Lands Trust have collaborated on a water conservation plan for the Perkiomen Creek watershed.  The plan has been finalized for both the Upper Perkiomen watershed which includes a small portion of  New Hanover Township and, more recently, the Lower Perkiomen subbasin. This latter plan includes the remaining watersheds in NHT and is available for review at the municipal building.  In 2003, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources awarded a grant to Montgomery County Lands Trust for conservation planning along the Swamp Creek corridor.  This major creek passes through five townships, including New Hanover, on its way toward its connection with the Perkiomen Creek just north of Schwenksville.  The grant will be used to analyze the stream’s role as a watershed, for collecting existing aerial photographs and mapping parcels for community education, for ground checking land parcels and to prioritize parcels for preservation. 

            Rapid development in Southeastern Pennsylvania coupled with drought conditions impacting the area in 2001 and 2002 has raised public awareness regarding the vital need for  groundwater resource management.  Many township residents depend on individual wells and are understandably concerned.  It is important to remember that households connected to public water systems are also dependent upon centrally located wells.  Many are wondering how their water supply will be affected in the face of population growth and the resulting demands on this critical resource. 

            The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC)  is an interstate agency (DE; NJ; NY; PA) that oversees the management of  the water resources within the boundaries of the Delaware River Basin.  In 1980, the DRBC established the Ground Water Protected Area (GWPA) of Southeastern Pennsylvania at the request of the State when it became evident that extensive development was negatively impacting groundwater levels.  The GWPA encompasses all of Montgomery County as well as sections of four surrounding counties and includes 76 subbasins.  Portions of seven of these watersheds occur within the boundaries of New Hanover Township. 

            While the Commission  has adopted a regional regulatory package that includes the establishment of ground water withdrawal limits for each GWPA subbasin, it is ultimately the responsibility of individual townships to insure that their natural resources are properly managed.  As noted above, Montgomery County is in the early stages of development of a county-wide DRBC sanctioned integrated resource plan.  Once completed and approved by the DRBC, this plan will provide an invaluable planning tool for officials at the local level.

            While we all certainly recognize the importance of  documenting the groundwater situation in the Township, it is imperative that the issue be approached in a reasoned and environmentally responsible fashion.   Decisions need to be made regarding what can be effectively accomplished at the local level.  One question that needs to be answered is, are we facing a serious water problem?  Data from the DRBC (1996) for New Hanover Township indicate that estimated groundwater withdrawal limits amount to just over three million gallons per day - well above projected withdrawals.  The DRBC data seem to indicate that groundwater reserves are sufficient to meet residential, commercial and agricultural needs for years to come.  However, the hydrogeology of NHT is quite complex and adequate groundwater reserve estimates do not preclude possible localized impacts of development upon individual wells.

            The U. S. Geological Survey monitors observation wells and stream flow in selected areas around the country.  The data, which is collected daily, is computed as a moving average to smooth out short term fluctuations.  The  results for stream flow (Perkiomen Creek at Graterford) and observation well levels (Lansdale) can be accessed by going to the USGS website.  While the data do reflect the impact of the drought conditions that the eastern U.S. has experienced in the last few years, it is important to realize that long term water resource planning should not be based upon natural meteorological cycles (remember 2003). 

            It is clear that there are numerous efforts serving to monitor and evaluate the state of our water resources as well as institute policies to insure that our groundwater reserves as well as many aquatic and wetland environments are preserved  and protected for future generations.   The Environmental Advisory Board will periodically update the Board on the progress of the aforementioned studies as well as make interim recommendations.

Remember, we as individuals are the ultimate stewards of our environment.