You can comment on proposed federal regulations through February 20
Are stricter Delaware River regulations needed to save sturgeon, or do anticipated costs to Philadelphia water customers outweigh potential benefits?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently proposed a major change to water quality standards in the Philadelphia portion of the Delaware River.
These new rules aim to increase the levels of dissolved oxygen—which fish need to breathe—to protect the Atlantic Sturgeon, an endangered species of fish that swim up the Delaware to spawn and lay their eggs. Without a doubt, today's population of sturgeon is a testament to how far we’ve come since the 1972 Clean Water Act began transforming polluted waterways into steadily improving habitats for many kinds of aquatic life.
So, what’s the problem?
To meet the proposed standards, Philadelphia is looking at a potential $3 billion price tag for new construction projects at our wastewater treatment facilities.
Without significant financial support from the state or federal government, that cost will be passed on to customers in Philadelphia's neighborhoods through higher water bills for years to come. The public can provide comments about the proposed regulation changes through the EPA website no later than February 20, 2024.
We share the goal of protecting sturgeon and improving the ecological health of the Delaware River. This summer, construction begins on a new $70 million treatment facility that will reduce oxygen-depleting ammonia on an efficient scale and at a reasonable price.
But before we spend big, it is our responsibility to examine the science behind the regulations, weigh the increased cost of water for all Philadelphians, and ask whether increased oxygen levels are the key to protecting sturgeon.
Read our recent blog and take a look at the facts and science behind this important issue:
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