What to do if you see a spill in a local stream or creek
If you’re out enjoying one of our beautiful Adams County waterways and you notice something amiss—significant clouding, a strange color or odor in the water, a lot of dead fish—anything that could indicate that a spill has occurred upstream, here are some ways you can help protect your stream:
Call 911. One of the first concerns when you see a spill is to make sure the incident is reported immediately to the proper authorities—by calling 911 and reporting what you’ve seen, you’ll set those wheels in motion.
Take lots of photos. It’s important to document the spill with photographs, as early and as thoroughly as possible. You might try taking multiple photos at locations moving upstream toward the spill, if it’s safe to do so. Be sure also to photograph any dead fish or macroinvertebrates you observe. The photos may be useful to the DEP or the PFBC as they investigate the spill.
If possible, return to the scene after a few days to document any changes. Has the water cleared? Do you see any dead fish or insects? Take photos!
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