That is the essence of sustainability. The essential goal of Sustainable Watershed Management is to first evaluate the capabilities and limits of water resources both quality and quantity within the Watersheds and then develop land use management strategies that are compatible with these limits . Because land use decisions directly affect water resources, and because land use decisions are made at the municipal level, a critical element of this effort is working with the municipalities. The land use strategies have involved working directly with the municipalities and the Northern Federation of Communities, a multi-municipal organization comprised of nine of the northern Chester County municipalities. Key elements of this work have included development of a Model Stormwater Ordinance to maintain groundwater recharge, and direct work with individual municipalities to review comprehensive plans and zoning, water and sewer infrastructure programs.
Development adversely impacts water resources in a variety of ways.
Substantial quantities of water are pumped from watershed aquifers, lowering the water table, jeopardizing existing wells, and reducing stream base flow. The newly developed land surface generates increased stormwater runoff, worsening flooding during storms. At the same time, less water is returned to replenish aquifers already stressed, further reducing stream flow during critical dry periods. Streams may even dry up completely. Nonpoint source pollutants are washed from roadways and parking lots and from artificial landscapes maintained with frequent applications of noxious chemicals.