Water Quality
IN THE FISHING CREEK WATERSHED
We conduct monthly water testing and semi-annual macroinvertebrate counts to maintain Fishing Creek’s water quality. We also coordinate streambank improvement projects, native plantings, clean ups, and more.
What is a watershed? It’s the area of land that drains to a specific body of water, including a stream, pond, lake, river, or ocean (LancasterWatersheds.org).
Not only is the Fishing Creek Watershed home to mammals, fish, birds, and more, it’s also a drinking water source for residents living in Southern Lancaster County.
According to LancasterWatersheds.org, “89% of Lancaster County’s streams are impaired or don’t have good water quality…Volunteers collect extensive data about local streams on a monthly basis and we have in-stream monitoring units that collect data every 15 minutes. Combined, these data help inform our restoration actions in Lancaster County.”
Friends of Fishing Creek is one of many organizations committed to improving the water quality in Lancaster County.
Well Water
Did you know there are no state regulations that require private well owners to maintain or test their drinking water?
This means their could be various pollutants in private wells in Pennsylvania. Penn State Extension (PSU) recommends routine tests to check the safety of well water. Learn more about these tests at the button below.
Best Practices for Private Wells:
Limit activities like using fertilizers or pesticides within 100 feet of the well.
Be aware of local activities that may impact your well water.
Complete a visual inspection of your well casing to detect any cracks, holes, or corrosion.
Replace a standard well cap with a sanitary well cap to keep out insects, small mammals, and other surface contamination.