The Chester County Conservation District received the Government Award from the Water Resources Association of the Delaware River Basin on April 17 at the Downtown Club in Philadelphia. 

The District received the award for excellence in implementing programs to address natural resource conservation issues by promoting the sustainable use of those resources to the citizens of Chester County through education and technical assistance.

Christian E. Strohmaier accepted the award as District Manager and on behalf of the Board of Directors.  United Water nominated the District for the prestigious award. 

United Water and the City of Newark, DE worked with the District and local farmer, Barclay Hoopes, to install best management practices on the farm.  UW’s interest in providing funding for this work arose from a need to reduce levels of Cryptosporidium (a harmful parasite that lives in the excrement of warm-blooded mammals) from entering the water supply. 

As a result, approximately 1500 linear feet of streambank fencing, one acre of riparian forest buffer, two livestock crossings, and one water access were installed.  These BMPs will reduce excess manure from entering the stream and significantly reduce stream bank erosion. 

5/6/2013