Wissahickon Creek in Crisis: What's Lurking Beneath the Surface?

A popular Montgomery County waterway is raising concerns after Pennsylvania officials issued a *"Do Not Eat" fish advisory for the Wissahickon Creek watershed.

Testing detected elevated levels of PFOS (Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid), a chemical belonging to the PFAS family. What are PFAS? Short for Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, these manufactured chemicals are commonly called "forever chemicals" because they break down extremely slowly. They've been used in products such as nonstick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, and firefighting foam.

The advisory affects fish caught in the Wissahickon Creek watershed in Montgomery County and Philadelphia. Officials also canceled a planned October 15 trout stocking.

DID YOU KNOW? Cooking contaminated fish won't reliably eliminate PFAS. These chemicals can accumulate in the body over time, and certain PFAS have been linked to health concerns.

What should residents do? Avoid eating fish from affected waters and follow Pennsylvania's official fish consumption advisory. The fish warning does not automatically mean household drinking water is unsafe.

Source: Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, October 7, 2026.