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Watershed Helpline and Resources

Try to record your observations in writing and/or photograph describing what you have seen and the conditions during which the issue took place. If you can, take samples. Be sure to include the date, time of day, location, and any other information you deem important. And remember, SAFETY FIRST! Don’t walk on private property without permission from the owner and don’t put yourself in any dangerous and/or hazardous situations.

Contact the appropriate organization based on your concerns using the lists below.

Soil Erosion

  • Soil entering stream from construction site
  • Unnaturally cloudy water
Pennsylvania

Chester County Conservation District
688 Unionville Rd., Suite 200
Kennett Square, PA 19348
(610)925-4920

Delaware

New Castle Conservation District
2430 Old Country Road
Newark, DE 19702
(302) 832-3100 ext. 3

Damaging Activity in Stream or Watershed

  • Removal of trees along stream bank
  • The use of machinery in the stream
  • The filling or disturbance of a wetland
  • Dumping (i.e. releasing large amounts of man-made materials into the stream or wetland), and littering
  • Air pollution
Pennsylvania

PA Dept. of Environmental Protection
Southeast Regional Office
2 East Main Street
Norristown, PA 19401
Emergency Response: (484)250-5900

Delaware

DNREC – Division of Water Resources
89 Kings Highway
Dover, DE 19901
Emergency Response Hotline: 
1-800-662-8802
General Information: (302) 739-9950

Threats to Aquatic Life

  • Notable increase in algae
  • Unnaturally large quantities of dead fish
  • Illegal fishing
  • Destruction of stream banks
Pennsylvania

PA Fish & Boat Commission Southeast Region
Brubaker Valley Road, PO Box 9
Elm, PA 19721
Law Enforcement: (717) 626-0228
Education: (717) 626-9081

Delaware

DNREC – Division of Fish and Wildlife
89 Kings Highway
Dover, DE 19901
Emergency Response Hotline: 
1-800-662-8802

Threats to Wildlife

  • Illegal Hunting
Pennsylvania

PA Game Commission Southeast Region
448 Snyder Road
Reading, PA 19605
(610) 926-3136

Delaware

DNREC – Division of Fish and Wildlife
89 Kings Highway
Dover, DE 19901

 

Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research
(care for injured birds)
110 Old Possum Hollow Road
Newark, DE 19711
General: (302) 739-9913
Enforcement: (302) 739-9912
Wildlife: (302) 739-9914
Fisheries: (302) 737-9543

Stream Changes

  • Excessive algal growth
  • Unusual smell and/or color
  • Sudden change in clarity of water
  • Unusual amount of foam
Pennsylvania

PA Dept. of Environmental Protection
Southeast Regional Office
2 East Main Street
Norristown, PA 19401
Emergency Response: (484)250-5900

Delaware

DNREC
89 Kings Highway
Dover, DE 19901
Emergency Response Hotline: 1-800-662-8802
General Information: (302) 739-9950

Septic and Well Issues

  • Discharge of sewage into stream
  • Failing septic systems
  • Bacterial contamination in well water
Pennsylvania

Chester County Health Department
601 Westtown Road, Suite 290,
Box 2747
West Chester, PA 19380
(610) 344-6225

Delaware

DNREC Division of Water Resources Groundwater Section
(302) 739-5361

Recycling

  • Proper disposal of household hazardous waste
Pennsylvania

Chester County Waste Authority
7224 Division Highway
Narvon, PA 17555
(610) 273-3771

Delaware

Delaware Solid Waste Authority
1128 S. Bradford Street
PO Box 455
Dover, DE 19903
Citizen’s Response Line: 1-800-404-7080
Office: (302) 739-5361

Watershed Quality Resources