The Brodhead Watershed Association Thursday announced it has received a $3,000 grant from the PPL Foundation to support its StreamWatcher Program.

PPL Electric Utilities has been a long-time supporter of Brodhead Watershed Association’s Adopt-A-Stream Program, which monitors water quality throughout the Brodhead Watershed. PPL renewed its annual sponsorship recently with a $3,000 donation.

More than 70 volunteers test local waters monthly to ensure Pocono waters are clean and pure.

Ongoing support from community leaders such as PPL is vital to continue the program.

Adopt-a-Stream sponsors directly support Streamwatchers – 70+ volunteers who monthly monitor water quality at more than 100 sites in the 312-square-mile Brodhead Watershed (close to half of Monroe County).

Volunteers note any changes in their streams and report "red flags" – major changes in the appearance or the chemical tests performed.

At least 20 new volunteers learn Streamwatch protocols annually. This year held a tremendous turnout of people interested in Streamwatch, when nearly 60 people attended introductory classes in March and April.

“This donation goes toward ensuring there is enough equipment to have all these volunteers with their boots in the water and eyes on the stream, which is a basic but vital aspect of ‘citizen science,’” said BWA Executive Director Bob Heil.

Adopt-a-Stream sponsor donations pay for the supplies, test kits and chemicals needed for the program, as well as provide stable funding for the ongoing operations of BWA.

“Stream stewards” – including PPL – fulfill an important role in helping everyone become more aware of the valuable natural resources that we share.

For information about the Streamwatch program, how to become a volunteer or an Adopt-a-Stream sponsor, visit the StreamWatcher Program webpage or send email to: info@brodheadwatershed.org or call 570-839-1120.

For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the Brodhead Watershed Association website. Click Here to sign up for regular updates from the Association.  Click Here to become a member.

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