$255K Grant To Slow Flow Of Mill Creek Erosion in Bristol Township

BRISTOL TOWNSHIP, PA —The township will receive $255,000 in state funding for a watershed restoration project that will improve the existing swales along Mill Creek near Plumbridge Drive.

State Sen. Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and State Rep. Tina Davis (D-141) made the announcement Friday of the grant that will help combat erosion of the existing swales and prevent the flow of sediment into the creek.

“Vegetated bioswales are an environmentally-friendly way to manage stormwater runoff and protect water quality in our local creeks,” Santarsiero said. “Solutions like what Bristol Township is implementing here will preserve our natural resources while strengthening our infrastructure to combat increasingly severe weather.”

Bristol Township Manager Randee Elton said the funding gives the township an opportunity to implement stormwater projects in an effort to reduce sediment in "our waterways."

" The focus area is along the wooded section of Mill Creek adjacent to the Plumbridge Drive," Elton said. "The existing swales exhibit signs of severe erosion occurring and lacks vegetation which allows sediment to flow directly into Mill Creek."

Elton said the proposed installation of vegetated swales will improve Mill Creek to protect water quality, promote groundwater recharge, and provide a reduction of pollutants to the waterways.

“As we are affected by increasingly violent storms due to climate change, we must be innovative and resourceful in our approaches to mitigating their impact on our communities," Davis said. " This money will help us implement one such innovation in Bristol Township’s infrastructure.”

Council President Craig Bowen added: “The Township of Bristol is committed to preserving its natural resources and with the acceptance of this grant funding, we are one step closer to that goal.”