STROUDSBURG -- In the Poconos, efforts are already underway to make sure a creek is clean and safe.
The water in the creek may look clear but the Brodhead Watershed Association says water samples and studies tell a much murkier story in the Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg areas.
"We found that there was high fecal coliform in the stream actually making it unsafe for people to swim or play in the water," said Edie Stevens, Brodhead Watershed Association.
Over the past few years, Stevens and other members of the association used a $62,000 state grant to fix the problem in the Brodhead Creek.
"We worked with the municipalities," Stevens explained. "We designed a sign that said, 'please don't feed the ducks,' and the municipalities put them up."
Local businesses including the Sarah Street Grill in Stroudsburg are doing their part too, trying to help keep the Brodhead a little cleaner.
A rain garden will help catch water and other toxins coming off the roof of the restaurant and keep it from running straight into the Brodhead Creek.
"It's a part of our overall effort to be more green and to help the town look better, and be more efficient," said owner David Lapoint.
"It makes us feel good," added manager Christina Connolly. "We are earth lovers, obviously so we get to do our part and be responsible."
Stevens says the Brodhead Watershed Association plans to install more rain gardens this spring, and says more people are starting to do their part to go green.
"We're seeing people become more aware of the fact that things like rain barrels and rain gardens."
For more information on how you can help keep the Brodhead Creek clean, click here.
