A four-mile section of the Susquehanna River is impaired for fish consumption and is unsuitable for recreation.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection released a report on Monday, which reveals the lower section of the Susquehanna River, surveyed recently to evaluate water contact use, is added to an impaired listing in 2016 . Water contact use includes swimming. From the mouth of Conodoguinet Creek to the mouth of the Yellow Breeches Creek the recreational impairment designation is a result of high densities of coliform bacteria detected in the river, which indicates the potential for other pathogens in the water.
High bacteria densities indicate conditions that might cause sickness from contact with or ingestion of the water. The report sets forth a “groundbreaking protocol” to scientifically assess a large river system, DEP reports. You can find more information on the report here.
Will DEP’s report of Susquehanna River impaired sections keep you out of the water?
