The Potomac Riverkeeper Network (PRKN) is dedicated to protecting the right to clean water for all communities and all those who live in and rely upon the Potomac and Shenandoah watersheds by stopping pollution, making drinking water safe, protecting healthy river habitats, and enhancing use and enjoyment for all. Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., PRKN addresses pressing environmental challenges, including agricultural runoff, deforestation, sewage contamination, industrial pollution and climate change. A key initiative showcasing their commitment is the partnership with Alexandria’s RiverRenew project, a $615 million effort aimed at preventing millions of gallons of untreated sewage from entering the Potomac by capturing and treating polluted stormwater. Additionally, their 50 Million Mussel Project aims to restore 50 million native freshwater mussels by 2030 to enhance water quality. Envisioning healthy communities and thriving wildlife, PRKN actively protects water resources through public outreach, education, community engagement, citizen science, advocacy, and legal action.
The Potomac Riverkeeper Network is a women-led, 501(c)(3) nonprofit with three regional branches: Potomac Riverkeeper, Upper Potomac Riverkeeper, and Shenandoah Riverkeeper. As members of WATERKEEPER® Alliance, they are part of a global movement uniting over 300 organizations dedicated to addressing issues affecting waterways, including pollution and climate change. With local leadership, a staff of 12 and a large group of volunteers, PRKN has achieved significant victories. A notable success was their lawsuit against the U.S. Navy for unregulated weapons testing in the Potomac River, which led to a settlement requiring the Navy to obtain a pollution discharge permit. They have also successfully challenged coal ash disposal from a Dominion Energy facility, resulting in stricter regulations, and filed lawsuits that improved sewage infrastructure to reduce untreated discharges into the Potomac. PRKN is making a tangible difference in safeguarding the health of the Potomac River and its surrounding ecosystems for generations to come.
In the Water Quality Monitoring Program, volunteers test at least 30 sites across the watershed to inform river enthusiasts when and where contact in safe, posting results every Saturday on PRKN’s Facebook page, from May through September.
Source: Potomac Riverkeeper Network