Leadership in the Darby-Cobbs Watershed

The Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) initiated the Darby-Cobbs Watershed Partnership (DCWP) and continues to financially support this important effort to unite watershed stakeholders in a variety of ways.   Philadelphia lies at downstream of their suburban neighbors in Delaware, Chester, Montgomery, and Bucks counties and watershed-wide solutions require coordination these municipalities.  The PWD notes, “without their cooperation and commitment to take similar protection measures, the efficacy of [the PWD’s] efforts would be limited” (PWD 2011).

Partnership Members

The Darby-Cobbs Watershed Partnership (DCWP) is a network of public, private, and nonprofit partners working to create and implement a watershed management plan that addresses water quality and quantity issues.

Organizations:

·      Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Education Center

·      Darby Creek Valley Association

·      Cobbs Creek West Community Association

·      Friends Central Middle School

·      Morris Park Restoration Association

·      Upper Darby Township

·      Lower Merion Conservancy

·      Yeadon Borough

The Partnership's Role in Watershed Improvements

The Partnership develops and conducts stormwater management projects, municipal ordinance revisions, and public education and outreach events. The Philadelphia Water Department is a major organizer and supporter of the Darby-Cobbs Watershed Partnership, since DCWP's resources and data collection helped in the preparation of the Darby Creek’s Act 167 Stormwater Management Pan, as well as the Darby Creek Rivers Conservation Plan. The DCWP also has a Public Education and Outreach Committee, which is always open to new membership. (PWD 2013).

Financing Watershed Improvements

PWD offered $2 million per year for 20 years to implement this plan and PWD suggested that other jurisdictions pitch in (PWD and DCWP 2004).  As of 2011, PWD has spent $16 million (2006-2011)—even more than they promised in 2004 (DCWP et al. 2009). 

Funding from PWD and a number of the Darby-Cobbs Watershed Partners has resulted in many implemented demonstration projects with­in the watershed. These projects stretch from the headwaters in Delaware and Montgomery Counties through the City of Philadelphia” (DCWP et al. 2009).  PWD has an interactive map of demonstration activities throughout the watershed.

In addition to environmental motivations, there were real financial motivations as well.  The region needed to meet regulatory measures, especially complying with Pennsylvania’s Stormwater Management Act (Act 167) that requires counties to implement a stormwater management ordinance limiting stormwater runoff from new development for all watersheds within their jurisdiction; otherwise, the counties would incur penalties.  The Darby and Cobbs Creek watersheds are two separate DEP Act 167-designated watersheds.  The Cobbs Creek is actually a tributary of Darby, so it makes sense to include them together.  A major goal of the Darby-Cobbs Act 167 Plan was to determine where in the watershed stormwater detention was appropriate for new development and, just as importantly, where detention was not appropriate. 

Other Key Players

Public involvement is also critical to the success of the Partnership’s activities.  To promote watershed awareness, PWD has offered a variety of education and outreach programs over the past twelve years that target the residents in and outside of the City of Philadelphia.  Support for green stormwater infrastructure as a means to improve watershed health was resonated throughout all components of PWD’s Green City, Clean Waters public participation program (DCWP et al. 2009).

Resources:

Delaware County Planning Department. 2005. Darby and Cobbs Creeks Watershed Act 167 Stormwater Management Plan. Available at: http://www.co.delaware.pa.us/planning/environmental/act167.html.

Darby-Cobbs Watershed Partnership et al. 2009. Cobbs Creek: A Gateway to Many Places and To Cleaner Water. Available at: www.phillywatersheds.org/ltcpu/Vol16_CCVision.pdf‎.

Philadelphia Water Department (PWD). 2013. “Darby-Cobbs Partnerships.” Available at: http://www.phillywatersheds.org/your_watershed/darby_cobbs/partnerships.

PWD. 2011. Green City, Clean Waters: The City of Philadelphia’s Program for Combined Sewer Overflow Control. Program Summary.

PWD and Darby-Cobbs Watershed Partnership (DCWP). 2004. Cobbs Creek Integrated Watershed Management Plan. Available at: http://www.phillywatersheds.org/your_watershed/darby_cobbs/key_documents_maps.