Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection has determined that certain streams in and around Cranberry fall short of the state’s water quality standards, particularly as they relate to sediment. As part of the effort to renew its 5-year permit and comply with DEP’s federally-mandated Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System program, Cranberry is developing a required Pollution Reduction Plan, PRP, and studying cost-effective measures to stabilize stream bank erosion. At its July 27 meeting, Cranberry’s Board of Supervisors heard Waterworks Coordinator Tim Schutzman explain alternative approaches to achieving the required sediment reduction. The PRP will be part of the Township’s September application to secure renewal of its current permit, which expires in March. The primary stream pollution that DEP identified involves sediment and does not present risks to human health, Schutzman pointed out. Cranberry’s cost of compliance with this mandate now approaches $1 million a year.