Darby Creek Valley Association

Watershed Hotline

There are 2 types of water pollution; Point Source Pollution and Non-point Source Pollution. Point Source Pollution comes from a specific source such as factory runoff, sewage, oil leak, construction site run off and dumping to name a few. Non-point Pollution is caused by rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground. As the runoff moves, it picks up and carries away natural and human-made pollutants that flows into our streams and creeks.

Darby Creek Valley Association has numerous educational programs to assist individuals and organizations on how to recognize non-point pollution and best practices to help keep our watershed and water clean.

Point Source Pollution should be reported . Keeping safety first try and document the source of the problem with pictures, take note of day , time, location, type of pollutant. If applicable licence plate or any writing on a vehicle.

Spills and other emergencies

Department of Environmental Protection, 24 hours/day
484-250-5900
or 1-800-541-2050 (toll free)

Broken water mains and other water supply issues

Contact your water utility company:
Aqua Pennsylvania
24 hours/day 610-525-1402 or 877-977-2782

Chester Water Authority
24 hours/day 610-876-8181

For other water-related concerns, including:

Leaking or overflowing sanitary sewer lines or manholes
Sewage or other obvious pollutants in creek/pond
Illegal or pollution discharges into creeks or storm drains/channel
Dry weather flow from storm sewer outfall that appears polluted
Or similar concerns about potential pollution events

Please contact your municipality (township, borough, or city). Most municipalities have this information posted on their websites.

If you are unable to connect with a local representative to discuss your concern and the issue appears pressing, you can always reach the DEP emergency line at 484-250-5900 or 1-800-541-2050 (toll free).

Environmental complaints (including water quality complaints)

Department of Environmental Protection, Weekdays 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
484-250-5991
Off hours, a message can be left at this number

Fish kills (1st call)
Department of Environmental Protection, 24 hours/day
484-250-5900

Fish kills (2nd call)
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission,
Weekdays 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
717-626-0228

Construction site issues, including erosion, off-site discharges of mud/sediment, improper or no silt fencing

Construction Site Monitoring

Construction sites are often the largest sources of sediment pollution. As a citizen scientist you can help find and report problems to help protect the health of our watershed. View this educational webinar and see below for links to the documents referenced.

Muddy Water Watch 'How To' Guide

MWW Field Guide

MWW Site Report Card

MWW Site Journal

MWW Report Log

In Delaware County:

Delaware County Conservation District, Weekdays 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
610-892-9484

In Chester County:

Chester County Conservation District, Weekdays 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
610-925-4920, Select “0” to talk to the operator

Darby Creek Valley Association P.O. Box 732 Drexel Hill, PA 19026 | Phone: 484.222.2502
Jaclyn Rhoads, President – president@dcva.org