About Us
In 1994, a small group of concerned citizens interested in preservation and protection of the Pequabuck River and its watershed formed the Pequabuck River Watershed Association (PRWA). Over the past 26 years, PRWA created and updated a Pequabuck River Watershed Plan, pulled more than 35 tons of trash from the river, conducted environmental education programs for all age groups, participated in water quality monitoring and stream survey programs, and engaged the community in bio-improvement projects.
PRWA emphasizes the human health inter-connectivity with our ecosystems through its programs and projects and recognizes that our ecosystem’s climate emergency requires solutions designed for resiliency. We actively partner and collaborate with many local, regional, and state organizations and agencies to inform stakeholders that a healthy watershed provides services that lower community-borne costs and directly contribute to a healthier population. PRWA has focus areas where we plan to make a difference. Projects and programs aim to improve water quality, promote recreational use of the river, and create tomorrow’s environmental stewards.
We actively partner with many local, regional, and state organizations, agencies, and stakeholders such as Bristol Board of Education, Bristol Park Board, Moran Environmental Recovery, LLC, Environmental Learning Centers of Connecticut, Farmington River Watershed Association, Greater Bristol Chamber of Commerce, UCONN soil analysis lab, Connecticut Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials (NEMO), Natural Resources Conservation Services (USDA, NRCS), and Plainville Conservation Commission to improve our human habitat and inform stakeholders that a healthy watershed provides services that lower community-borne costs and directly contribute to a healthier population.
We are a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to creating a healthy Pequabuck River. We advocate to land use boards, conduct river cleanup events, monitor water quality, and more.
Water is a public trust. Everyone deserves equitable access to clean, safe drinking water.
More About the Pequabuck River
There are 3 basic needs for all living things: food, water, and shelter. A river provides all 3 needs and is an ecosystem in itself. They are the arteries of the landscape. Ask yourself why advocating for a healthy river is so important and you will find your answer. By protecting a local stream, you are improving the quality of life for every plant, animal, and human in your community. The benefits literally trickle down river with the natural flow of the water.
The Pequabuck River is an urban river. It has been heavily altered by human development during the industrialization of Connecticut and in many places is locked away from its natural course as it is channeled through an ever-impervious landscape. The Pequabuck bears the mark of this history, and its history drives its conservation needs today.
In the past, water quality surveys have shown the Pequabuck to carry high levels of bacteria that can be detrimental to public health, elevated nutrient loading from phosphates and nitrates which are common nonpoint source pollutants in cities, and turbid waters that carry sediments. All of these pollutants also negatively affect aquatic life. The river’s condition has drastically improved since the removal of all known sources of pollutants, but the issues linger to this day. The more we know about our river, the more focused our solutions to its issues can be.
Our Goal of an Improved Watershed
Through collaborative partnerships, the Pequabuck River Watershed Association leverages the skills and talents of members, volunteers, and stakeholders to educate and inform our community, advocate and implement public policy, and install eco-improvements throughout the watershed, which safeguard and improve our natural resources, human health, and climate change resiliency.
By connecting people to the natural world, we increase stewardship and advocacy of natural resources within the watershed for generations to come.
Our vision is to restore the Pequabuck River and its tributaries to a class A quality water source. In doing so, we wish to identify and map areas of importance, define and propose wildlife corridors, restore impaired areas, and protect pristine areas within the watershed. By working at the ecosystem level and educating our community, we hope to obtain a highly functional and usable Pequabuck River.
1. Improve water quality
2. Support a healthy and diverse watershed ecosystem
3. Promote recreational opportunities
Contact Us
Please feel free to reach out to our team.
pequabuckriverct@gmail.com
860.670.4761
www.fb.me/pequabuckriver