Andrew Reilly
Every time it rains in Luzerne County, water runs off rooftops, streets and parking lots. That water doesn’t just disappear — it picks up dirt and debris, flows into our creeks, then into the Susquehanna River, and eventually reaches the Chesapeake Bay. Along the way, it carries sediment and pollutants that cloud the water, damage habitats, and harm one of America’s most important ecosystems.
Here in the Wyoming Valley, we’re taking action to stop that pollution before it starts. The Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority’s regional stormwater management program is delivering real results for local streams and communities downstream.
Since 2020, our street sweeping operations have collected nearly 10 million pounds of debris. Catch basin cleanings have removed another 2 million pounds. These efforts prevent pollution from entering local waterways. On top of that, stormwater projects already completed are projected to keep nearly 700,000 pounds of sediment out of the water every single year.
Two recent projects in Swoyersville show how local investments make a difference. The Creek Street and Townsend basin retrofits now capture and treat stormwater from large drainage areas before it can reach Abrahams Creek. Together, these two projects are expected to prevent more than 367,000 pounds of sediment from entering our waterways each year.
Another success story is the Abrahams Creek Streambank Restoration in Forty Fort. This project stabilizes eroding streambanks and restores natural habitat, cutting down on harmful sediment and nutrient pollution. Once fully established, it will keep more than 200,000 pounds of sediment out of the water annually. Projects like these protect property, reduce flooding, and improve water quality right here at home.
The latest Chesapeake Bay report included positive signs, such as improvements in water clarity and reductions in nutrient pollution. These improvements are tied to actions happening upstream — and WVSA is proud to be part of that progress. Our work to capture millions of pounds of debris, retrofit basins, and restore streambanks shows that local projects have a direct impact on regional water quality. As recently noted by the Times-Leader, these signs suggest that the effort we’ve put in over the past six years is working.
The connection between our neighborhoods and the Chesapeake Bay may seem distant, but it’s real. What happens in our backyards flows downstream. That’s why WVSA is committed to doing its part. You can help keep our waterways clean by making small changes on your property. Here are a few simple but powerful steps you can take:
• Install a rain barrel to collect runoff from your roof for later use in watering your garden.
• Plant native vegetation or a rain garden to soak up rainwater and prevent runoff.
• Direct downspouts away from paved surfaces and toward grassy areas where water can naturally absorb into the ground.
• Properly dispose of yard waste and household chemicals so they don’t wash into storm drains.
• Clean up after your pets — animal waste is a surprising source of water pollution.
These actions may seem small, but together they make a big difference. Just as WVSA’s large-scale projects add up to millions of pounds of sediment kept out of our waterways, individual efforts in neighborhoods across the valley strengthen the work we’re doing and improve the health of the Susquehanna River and the Chesapeake Bay.
Clean water benefits all of us, from the streams where our kids play to the rivers and bays that sustain wildlife and communities. Together, we can ensure a healthier future for our region and for everyone who depends on these shared waters.
Andrew Reilly is the chief executive officer of the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority.
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Andrew Reilly is the chief executive officer of the Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority.