What leaks into the Delaware River?

How did the chemical spill happen? The spill occurred at a Trinseo plant in Bristol, Bucks County, on Friday, when the company said “an equipment failure” dumped about 8,100 gallons of latex emulsion solution into Otter Creek, a tributary of the Delaware River.



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No contaminants from the Bristol Township spill have been detected in the Delaware River water: tap water continues to be safe. Residents should continue to use tap water as they normally would.

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However, the most famous fact about the Delaware River is the famous crossing of it by George Washington in 1776 which helped him successfully surprise Hessian troops in New Jersey during the American Revolution.

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Residents can track the impact of the spill on a map provided by the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management. Officials say there is no risk associated with inhaling the water or skin contact. Bathing and showering with water is fine.

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For its size, the Upper Delaware River contains some of the highest water quality in the eastern United States. The upper portion of the watershed remains largely forested. These forests act as a natural buffer against pollution and erosion by filtering water, which is very important for maintaining water quality.

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The Delaware River has a long history of flooding. The river's floodplain, as well as those of its tributaries, has been subject to both local and widespread damage.

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Fish consumption advisories issued in early 2018 show that the concentration of chemical contaminants in fish caught from Delaware waterways continues to decline – which indicates water quality is improving throughout the state and also means that fish caught in many Delaware waters can be eaten with lowered concerns ...

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Within the Upper Delaware Region, snakes are found in both terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Some snakes, like the Northern Watersnake, prefer aquatic habitats and are often found in slow-moving or standing water with places they can bask in the sun. The Northern Watersnake is commonly seen in and along the river.

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While the entire tidal river is part of the estuary, salinity levels vary from the Delaware Bay (saltwater) to Wilmington, Del. (brackish) to Philadelphia, Pa. and Trenton, N.J. (mostly freshwater).

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