April 30, 2009

New storm water management rules

PhillyBurbs.com, April 30, 2009: "Township wants help from neighbors against DEP rules: The potential impact of new storm water management rules has supervisors concerned. Concerned about the potential impact of new storm water management rules, Montgomery Township supervisors hope their neighbors will join them in expressing that concern to the state Department of Environmental Protection. . . ."

Landscape design and clean water

PhillyBurbs.com, April 26, 2009: "Design majors all about clean water: The next generation of landscape designers is stepping out of the classroom and into their local watersheds. A group of 10 environmental design majors from Delaware Valley College is touring the region this month to consult with homeowners and local organizations about riparian buffers, grassy barriers that keep sediment out of creeks and streams. . . ."

"Law would protect drinking water"

By Gary Weckselblatt, Intelligencer, April 23, 2009:
The legislation was introduced by Bucks Republican Chuck McIlhinney.

A lawmaker, government agency and environmental group have teamed up to craft a bill to protect the state's drinking water.

State Sen. Chuck McIlhinney introduced the legislation Wednesday that requires special protection of the groundwater, rivers and aquifers that supply drinking water.

Loans for water projects

PhillyBurbs.com, April 23, 2009: "Loans target water projects: Richlandtown and Sellersville were hoping for grants to perform needed water system improvements. . . . They'll have to settle for a loan. The tiny Upper Bucks borough had applied for funding to remove arsenic from the town's drinking water. . . ."

Hybrid sewer alternative

PhillyBurbs.com, April 22, 2009: "Hybrid mentioned as sewer alternative: The system could be cheaper then what has been proposed for the Pebble Ridge area. A member of the Doylestown Township public water and sewer advisory committee has proposed an idea - a sort of septic-sewer hybrid, called a septic tank effluent pump system - that he said could address the problem of failing septic systems at a lower cost than the alternatives. . . ."

April 21, 2009

Frontline/PBS: "Poisoned Waters"

FRONTLINE: Poisoned Waters on PBS: "A far-reaching investigation into American's great waterways. They are in peril. There's a new wave of pollution that's killing fish, causing mutations in frogs -- and threatening human health."

April 7, 2009

"Water monitoring will continue"

PhillyBurbs.com, April 6, 2009: "Contamination in Cross Keys has affected numerous homes and businesses. Officials have yet to identify the source. Dozens of homes and businesses in and around the intersection of routes 313 and 611, known as Cross Keys, will continue to have their wells monitored by the state Department of Environmental Protection, said a DEP spokesman, after contaminants were discovered in the water. It's been almost a year since the department learned the water was contaminated with chlorinated solvents. The area affected includes sections of Plumstead, Buckingham and Doylestown Township."

"Tinicum in epic battle with developer"

PhillyBurbs.com, April 6, 2009: "It's been five years since developers began their fight to build an apartment complex, townhomes, residential neighborhoods and a shopping center across 240 acres in Tinicum. Scores of township hearings later, neither Main Street Development nor township supervisors nor members of ECO-Bucks, a grassroots citizens group fighting to preserve the rural character of Tinicum, are backing down from the fight."

"Open house targets deer management"

PhillyBurbs.com, April 5, 2009: "Open house targets deer management: The day-long event was one of six open houses the [Pennsylvania Game] commission is holding statewide."