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xW.) STORIES OF PROGRESS IN ACHIEVING HEALTHY WATERS
ro^ EPA Region 3 Water Protection Division
Conservation Efforts on Farms Produce Multiple Benefits
Berks County, Pennsylvania • March 2019
A unique partnership has been instrumental in more than 30 projects that have improved drinking
water, streams and farms in the Saucony Creek watershed in Pennsylvania's Berks County.
The Schuylkill Action Network (SAN) partners have
helped coordinate conservation efforts on farms that
have produced multiple benefits, including improved
water quality in local streams, greater efficiency in farm
operations and a steady drop in groundwater
contaminants linked to agriculture resulting in cleaner
drinking water.
The efforts and their results are documented in a 109-
page 2017 report funded by the William Penn
Foundation.
The Saucony Creek watershed is largely agricultural,
populated by small family crop and livestock farms. The
creek supports three community drinking water systems,
including Kutztown, which serves over 14,000
people. The creek itself feeds into Lake Ontelaunee -
the water supply for Reading. And from there it flows to
the Schuylkill River and then the Delaware River, which
are sources of drinking water for millions of people.
When farmers implement conservation practices that
improve the operations of the farm, they also protect the
ground and surface water sources of drinking water that
flow through the property.
The practices installed have involved storing manure, controlling stormwater from barnyards, buffering
streams with trees and vegetation, planting cover crops and using grazing regimes.
Saucony Creek farmers have reported that thanks to conservation practices, they have more efficient
operations, healthier animals and improved soils.
EPA's Mid-Atlantic Water Division has been closely involved in SAN activities since 2003 when EPA
co-founded the SAN, a unique partnership of government agencies, non-profit groups and commercial
interests focused on cleaning up pollution affecting the Schuylkill River.
The Division serves as a member of the SAN Agricultural Workgroup and advises on funding for
specific projects. Activities are directed toward impaired streams, with priority to headwater areas.
Partners such as conservation districts receive EPA Clean Water Act Section 319 funds through the
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to help in the restoration efforts.
AT A GLANCE
•	Conservation efforts promote clean water
and healthy farms.
•	Manure storage, stormwater control and
streamside trees and vegetation are among
the beneficial projects.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
EPA Region 3 Water Division
Philadelphia, PA
For additional information contact:
Beth Garcia, garcia.beth{5)epa.gov
EPA Water Division

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