Clean water is vital to our health, communities, and economy. People depend on clean water for their health: The United States Environmental Protection Agency claims that about 117 million Americans – one in three people – get their drinking water from streams protected by the Clean Water Rule. Clean water is vital for healthy ecosystems and provides a proper wildlife habitat and places to fish, paddle, surf, and swim. Additionally, our economy depends on clean water for manufacturing, farming, tourism, recreation, energy production, and other major economic sectors to function and flourish. 

Clean water upstream is essential for healthy communities downstream. The health of rivers, lakes, bays, and coastal waters depends on the streams and wetlands at their origin. Streams and wetlands provide myriad benefits to communities by trapping floodwaters, recharging groundwater supplies, filtering pollution, and providing habitat for fish and wildlife. This means that protecting and cleaning our streams is vitally important. West Goshen does its best to keep our streams clean; however, municipalities cannot do this alone. Public participation is vital to our clean stream program. Here are some ways that you can make a difference:

• Organize a stream cleanup event
• Form a stormwater pollution watch –  Members of the community can report spills, dumping, or draining of pollutants to the street, storm drain, drainageway, or waterway
• Mark storm drains with warnings about dumping (call the township building to get a marker)
• Adopt an inlet – If a stormwater inlet exists near you or on your property, ensure that the inlet is clear and unobstructed 
• Hold a wetland planting event
• Remove the impervious surface from your property (like concrete or pavement) and replace it with green space
• Practice good household habits – Pick up pet waste, properly dispose of grass clippings, and use a commercial car wash. Washing your car at home causes the soap, dirt, grease, and oil to wash from your car into nearby storm drains.
• If you suspect or witness illegal dumping or an illicit discharge into stormwater inlets, call the West Goshen Township Administration Building at 610-696-5266 during regular business hours, or 911 after business hours. 

Check out the infographic below to see why doing your part to keep our streams clean is so important!