Interpretation of Water Quality Testing Results of Newtown Creek
Conducted by Mike Bernarsky and the Bucks County Community College STEM students on June 9, 2018 NCC Water Testing Report JUN 9, 2018
Water Quality Testing was done on the NC Creek at the Hidden Lake Dam and the George School Campus by Mike Bernarsky and his students at Bucks County Community College. This year’s results were compared with the previous testing done in 2016. The most significant change in Newtown Creek is the increase in dissolved substances and nutrients (Nitrates and Phosphates) in spite of the greater volume of water flow, which should act as a dilution factor. Also, there is a significant increase in Electrical Conductivity between the Upper and Lower sites. We are looking into a possibility of a pesticide that was used at the Hidden Dam site as a possible cause for the changes.
Conducted by Newtown Creek Coalition Members & Bucks County Community College STEM students on May 14, 2016
Most physical and chemical tests are within acceptable levels for good-excellent water quality. Exceptions involve tests for Electrical Conductivity, Nitrate & Phosphate, which are a measure of NUTRIENTS available to algae in the stream. The test results indicate levels above what is acceptable, which may lead to excessive algal growth and oxygen depletion in the stream, as the temperatures increase during the summer months. Also, the stream shows a significant increase in nutrient levels from the Upper Site at the Hidden Lake Dam to the Lower Site at the George School. Finally, the ORP test results are below the ideal level for stream ecosystems. This indicates something is potentially wrong with the normal metabolic processes within the stream. This is most likely related to the issues of excessive nutrients. ORP also increases significantly from the Upper to the Lower Sites. The macroinvertebrate survey results (4.647 at Upper Site / 4.255 at Lower Site) support the results of the physical & chemical tests. The calculated Hilsenhoff Biotic Index, which is a scale from 0.00 (Excellent Water Quality) to 10.00(Very Poor Water Quality), indicates GOOD Quality Water at the Upper Site, to slightly VERY GOOD water at the Lower Site. Both designations include the “potential” for organic pollution. In conclusion, the stream is fairly stable for now, but organic pollution problems may surface during the summer season. The source of the excess organic nutrients is in the headwaters of the Creek, that drain into the Hidden Lake dam area.
Michael S. Bernarsky – Professor of Ecology Bucks Co. Community College – Newtown Creek Coalition Water Quality Monitoring Program Coordinator
