During seasonal riparian buffer monitoring, a DRN volunteer monitor documented a cracked sewer line at John Bartrams Park, in Darby Township Delaware County, PA. DRN followed up with rain event monitoring in September to document the raw sewage discharge that flowed from three sewer caps into the Darby Creek. Not only does this discharge pollute the stream which is just downstream of a habitat improvement project implemented in 2003, it also poses a public health threat as park users walk along a path that is polluted by the effluent during rain events. DRN has filed a report with PA DEP and is awaiting follow-up.
Update
10/3/06 — Pennsylvania DEP investigated the reported sewage problem at Bartrams Park and added this location discovered by DRN into the DEP consent order addressed to Darby Borough. This area is one of other problem locations along the sewer line. DRN will be receiving a copy of the timeline and consent agreement between PA DEP and the Borough upon finalization.