The primary mission of the East Cocalico Township Authority (ECTA) is to provide safe drinking water to its customers. Water is treated from its original state to meet the quality standards set for consumption. However, water providers rarely have control of the water supply before it gets to their system. ECTA has an active Source Water Protection Program, aimed at implementing protection of our water supply.
From 2022-2025, the ECTA conducted an outreach project working with farmers in our watershed to reduce nitrogen impact to groundwater from agricultural practices. Paid for with a grant from National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), ECTA teamed up with Rosetree Consulting to offer agronomic crop consulting services to nine local farms. The project included over 600 acres of farmland being evaluated for improved fertilizer application strategies, resulting in 16,000 pounds of nitrogen prevented from being land applied, which ultimately impacts the groundwater. Additionally, four farms implemented engineering Best Management Practices (BMPs), which made improvements to drainage and manure storage, which also impact the watershed.
About the Grant: The funding came from NFWF’s Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants program. The program promotes conservation within the tributary rivers and streams of Chesapeake Bay. Follow this link for additional information: https://www.nfwf.org/programs/chesapeake-small-watershed-grants
ECTA applied for funding to NFWF in April 2026, in hopes to continue the success of the Agricultural Outreach Program.
ECTA has six ‘Water Supply Area’ signs on US-222 and PA-272/North Reading Road to remind motorists to call ‘911’ in case of roadway spills. Prompt response to a spill can reduce and prevent potential impacts to the watershed.
For more information about ECTA’s Source Water Protection program, call our office at 717-336-1731 and/or check out our “storymap” at https://arcg.is/0nTaae0.