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Flooding and river pollution cited as ongoing issue; resident to pursue legal briefing
Summary
A longtime resident and local historian told council he is compiling a legal brief on Schuylkill River flooding and plans to use federal water-quality reports in potential court action; council noted staff are researching flood-gauge questions raised previously.
James Waters, a local resident and researcher, told Norristown Borough Council on May 6 that flooding along the Schuylkill River is his principal concern for 2025 and that he is preparing a multi-part brief that could form the basis for legal action.
Waters said he is compiling a three-part series and plans to rely on the Integrated Water Quality Report and the federal Clean Water Act, noting the Clean Water Act is celebrating its 50th anniversary. He told council the county's stream assessments identify many Montgomery County tributaries as polluted and said he will seek a judge's certification of a flood-victims class.
Council response earlier in the meeting: When the council reviewed questions from the prior meeting, staff reported that flood gauges on the Schuylkill River and local tributaries — including Stony Creek and Saw Mill Run — are operational and that borough staff will work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to research why a particular gauge was reported as turned off.
No formal council action was recorded at the May 6 meeting on Waters' brief or on litigation; Waters said he will proceed with his research and outreach. Waters also provided copies of his compiled materials and referenced published reporting and an "Integrated Water Quality Report" as source material.
Ending: Waters said he will continue public outreach and legal research; council staff indicated they will follow up with the Army Corps of Engineers and continue research into the reported gauge status.
