Potomac Riverkeeper Network

The Lock 10 result this week is concerning, as it has jumped back up to 100x the recreational safety limit after test results last week for this same site were down to 5x the safety limit.

Support our Potomac Interceptor Crisis Fund: give.potomacriverkeepernetwork.org/campaign/772...

We invite all community members to join us for a group discussion on the Potomac Interceptor Sewage Spill!

Please share this with your networks and others who are concerned about the impacts of this spill - or who may simply want to know more!

Our mission isn’t just about protecting our rivers for us and our communities — it’s about advocating for all beings who need clean water, especially the ones who can’t advocate for themselves.

#potomacriver #shenandoahriver #riverkeeper #worldwildlifeday #cleanwater

The grind doesn’t stop! On Wednesday, Potomac Riverkeeper Network submitted testimony before the Education, Energy, and Environment Committee in Annapolis, MD in support of HB925/SB719 and SB686 - both of which tackle PFAS, or toxic “forever chemicals”, impacting our watershed and our communities.

Water quality monitoring test results from Monday, February 23 show that levels remain high at the sewage spill site, likely due to residual contamination in the area. Two downstream sites also tested hot for elevated bacteria levels, though this could be a result of recent weather events.

"The future quality of our drinking water cannot be assured without monitoring and protection."

Tell DEQ to protect our community! Request a public hearing by March 2nd using this comment template: docs.google.com/document/d/1...

Need help writing your comment? Email madeleine@prknetwork.org

PRKN president Betsy Nicholas spoke all about the sewage spill in a segment with FOX this morning - and ran into Scott Surovell, long-time friend of PRKN and eye of the Potomac River!

Watch Betsy’s feature here: youtu.be/iJujJ3GTXAU?...

#potomacriver #riverkeeper #sewagespill #waterislife

Biosolids really stink (pun intended) and they pose a risk to our water, our health, and our communities, too. Join us and our friends at FOR for a presentation on PFAS!
Register for this FREE event here: riverfriends.org/product/va-p...

#pfas #toxic #foreverchemicals #riverkeeper #cleanwater

We’ve seen a slow improvement of E.coli levels. However, our February 17th results show E.coli levels worsening at Lock 10 (between February 12th and February 17th) and unsafe E.coli levels as far as 7 miles downstream at Fletcher’s Cove. Read our full press release at the link in our bio 🔗

30 days after the Potomac Interceptor broke and released 300+ million gallons of sewage into the Potomac River, DC Mayor Bowser has finally declared a state of emergency with hopes of getting federal funding to help with this historic spill.

#sewagespill #pollution #potomacriver #riverkeeper

Here are the water quality results from sampling taken last Thursday, February 12th. We will be conducting more testing today and will publish results as soon as they are available.

What fun news -- folks from Natl Park Service at Harpers Ferry have spotted a pair of peregrine falcons. Thing are looking up! Watch for them but respect their privacy as they prepare to nest.
PC - NPS

Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at PRKN! Remember to spread the love today and everyday - especially for our rivers when they need us most. 🫶🏽♥️

#valentinesday #riverkeeper #potomacriver #shenandoahriver #waterislife

Join us and demand local leaders take action: actionnetwork.org/letters/dema...

#sewagespill #potomacriver #publichealth #riverkeeper #waterislife

According to DC Water, it does not since the active intake site is above the site of the sewage spill.

Thanks to our tech wizard Brent Walls, we now have an online interactive map that displays all of our water quality sample results to date. PRKN will be collecting and testing a new batch of samples this week! Stay tuned for results.

Check it out at the link in our bio 🔗

Back by popular demand! Make a statement without uttering a word with our “Nothing Cleans A River Like A Lawsuit” apparel. Every sale directly supports our clean water work here at Potomac Riverkeeper Network for now and for generations to come. 🏞️

Get yours here: www.bonfire.com/nothing-clea...

Recent test results show high levels of E. coli and found Staph and MRSA pathogens in the river. It's long overdue for public health officials to put a health advisory in place - this is unacceptable! Read the full press release at the link in our bio #publichealth #sewage #riverkeeper #potomacriver

This spring, join Potomac Riverkeeper Network for an all new community engagement and fundraising event!

Get your tickets early and take advantage of the early bird special until March 1st! RSVP today: runsignup.com/Race/MD/Oxon...

Happy #WorldWetlandsDay !These unsuspecting areas are known to filter sediment and improve water quality, act as buffers that prevent erosion, mitigate floods, AND are carbon sinks that sequester harmful CO2!
#potomacriver #riverkeeper #conservation #wetlands

Help us honor and remember each of their stories by learning more about each of them: www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...

Photo Credit: Scarlett H., Getty Images

UPRK and Program Director, Brent Walls (and tech wiz) put together this map to visualize the results of our water sampling from last Friday. Today, PRKN will be conducting more sampling with two UMD labs. Stay tuned for more updates!

#publichealth #riverkeeper #potomacriver #sewage #waterquality

PRKN has been on-site at the ongoing Potomac sewage spill everyday since last Monday. We collected samples on Friday 1/23 at a few sites to test bacteria levels and what we found was much worse than previously anticipated. Read the press release now: potomacriverkeepernetwork.org/sampling-dat...

In the midst of the sewage spill chaos, it’s easy to feel helpless when it comes to protecting our rivers. Join us for this free webinar to learn what YOU can do to help make change!

Register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/water-wedn... 👩🏽‍💻

#toxins #cleanwater #riverkeeper #potomacriver #shenandoahriver

Join us tonight at Innovation Elementary School in Arlington, VA to let DEQ know we want PFAS regulations in place to protect us and our water!

Photo Credit: Erinn Shirley

#actionalert #pfas #biosolids #potomacriver #foreverchemicals

We’re probably somewhere chasing sunsets 🌅 #sunset #potomacriver #potomac #piscataway #cleanwater

Join us TOMORROW, January 7th at 6pm to hear firsthand from farm owners and operators about their experience with biosolids.

Register here: bit.ly/PFAS3

The end of the year is near, and so is the deadline to pledge CFC gifts! If you’re a federal worker who loves to de-stress on the river OR if you just love having clean water to drink, don’t forget Potomac Riverkeeper Network (87828) when making your CFC pledge.

#cfc #federalworkers #riverkeeper

In just 3 DAYS, join us for part 2 of our 3 parts PFAS webinars series where we’ll discuss the legislative aspect of PFAS in biosolids including implementing policy strategies, identifying solutions, and past experiences with PFAS policy.

REGISTER HERE: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Today we celebrate #WildlifeConservationDay in honor of the diverse wildlife that call the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers HOME. Let’s protect our wildlife by providing them with the clean water they need to thrive!

Photo Credit: Rob Wood 📸

#cleanwater #waterislife