York County’s Data-Driven Model Sets New Standard for Water Quality Oversight

WRIGHTSVILLE - The House Republican Policy Committee, chaired by Rep. David H. Rowe (R-Snyder/Union/Mifflin/Juniata), held a hearing in York County last Thursday titled "York County Leads with Data: Advancing Water Quality Through Real-Time Monitoring" to spotlight how local innovation is reshaping the way Pennsylvania measures and manages water quality. Hosted by Rep. Joe D'Orsie (R-Manchester), the hearing featured testifiers Hon. Julie Wheeler, president commissioner of York County; Wade Gobrecht, director of the York County Planning Commission; Barron Shaw, president of the York County Farm Bureau; and Jill Whitcomb, deputy secretary, Office of Water Programs, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Through a partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey, York County implemented a 10-year, countywide initiative that uses real-time sensors to collect accurate, continuous data on sediment, nitrogen, phosphorus, and other pollutants. The monitoring effort-one of the first of its kind in Pennsylvania-has already produced data showing pollutant levels in York County's waterways are significantly lower than DEP previously modeled. The effort also shows farmers are performing far better than state models suggest. "York County leads the way in county governance, and their recent breakthrough water quality testing method is an example that every other county in the Commonwealth should replicate," said D'Orsie. "The real-time data collection not only offers more accurate numbers, it exposes DEP's deficiencies in measuring water and air pollution." Chairman Rowe praised York County's leadership and called on DEP to modernize its approach statewide. "York County built a system that delivers accuracy, accountability, and transparency," Rowe said. "If DEP is serious about protecting our waterways, it must stop relying on guesswork and start working with local partners who are using real-time science. York County is proving that better data leads to better policy, and that it's time for DEP to modernize how it measures and manages pollution." A recording of the hearing and written testimony are available at PolicyCommittee.com. Representative David H. Rowe 85th Legislative District Pennsylvania House of Representatives Media Contact: Nancy Nilson 717.787.3443 [email protected] https://www.policycommittee.com

Share