Report A Problem

Since 1986, the Chester River Association (CRA) has helped people in the Chester River watershed learn how to resolve stream and river-related problems in their communities. By reporting problems, you can take an active and important role in preserving our vital water resources. When one person asks a question, many people are helped in the end, and your example can lead others to exercise their rights to have clean water and protected property values.

The Chester Riverkeeper, Tom Leigh, handles the majority of the inquiries with assistance from Brent Walls, our watershed coordinator. We monitor particularly egregious violations or emergencies and work with local state, and federal authorities to ensure compliance with the law.

Reporting a Problem

If you discover any of the following problems, you should immediately contact us.

In order to document the problem, do the following things, if possible: Note the exact location of the problem. Take pictures without trespassing on private property. Try to identify the source of the problem.

• Fish kill
• Sewage spill
• Non sewage spill
• Muddy water from construction sites
• Stream buffer destruction

Yes, the Riverkeeper does want to know about emergency and unusual situations on the river. But a state or municipal agency may be responsible for taking care of the problem, and you should call them first. Then you should call or email the Chester Riverkeeper to let him know  what the problem is, who you called, when you called them and what they said they’d do. If they take care of the situation in a timely way (as they’re supposed to), that’s great!  If they don’t follow through, then CRA will have the information it needs to hold them accountable.

Here’s a simple chart showing who handles what type of problems: