Even at a small, localized scale, water quality improvements on upstream properties can make a big difference to downstream users, like people in parts of northern Delaware who rely on waterways like White Clay Creek for drinking water. In parts of the Delaware River watershed some key players are embracing the idea of proactive partnerships to improve water quality and create a sustainable revolving fund. And it’s not in the state lines of Delaware.”Heading off problemsIt’s not the first time for this kind of interstate, public-private partnership on water quality improvements, nor is the idea unique to the watershed. The success of the approach isn’t just found in the water quality projects themselves, though. Every two years the Delaware River Basin Commission has been charged by the Environmental Protection Agency to report on the river’s water quality, mostly measured against existing water quality standards.