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the Voice of

the Merrimack

the Voice of

the Merrimack

the Voice of

the Merrimack

the Voice of

the Merrimack

what we do

Merrimack River Watershed Council is a local non-profit that focuses on making the Merrimack River cleaner, healthier, and more accessible. 

Our vision is a Merrimack River Watershed where community and nature flourish together.

Our mission is to improve and protect the health of the Merrimack River Watershed for all people and wildlife.

advocacy
recreation
education
science

Upcoming Events

Current News

2023: a record-setting year for sewer discharges

MERRIMACK RIVER – The huge rainstorms that hit the region in 2023 triggered a record-setting volume of sewage discharges into the Merrimack River, according to data obtained by Merrimack River Watershed Council. Just over 2 billion gallons of Combined Sewer Overflow –...

Merrimack River Watershed Council awarded $600,000 in pollution suit

CONCORD, NH – The US Department of Justice has awarded a $600,000 settlement to Merrimack River Watershed Council to help fix pollution problems that are harming the health of the Merrimack River.  The settlement spurs from a lawsuit filed two years ago against...

Merrimack’s 2023 sewer discharges break 10-year record

This past summer was an unusually wet one, and all that rain has led to a record-breaking year for sewage discharges into the Merrimack River. MRWC is estimated that so far in 2023, about 1.4 to 1.6 billion gallons of Combined Sewer Overflows, or untreated sewage,...

CALL TO ACTION: Help us pass this important bill to reduce Combined Sewer Overflows 

Many people contact us and ask what they can do to help make the Merrimack River cleaner. Here’s something that is pretty easy to do, and can make a notable impact!  Next week the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources will be holding...

State releases its first report on sewer discharges

A new state law intended to increase public awareness of sewer discharges into Massachusetts rivers hit an important milestone this week, producing data to help the public gauge how the Merrimack stacks up against other rivers where discharges occur. The Massachusetts...

MRWC names new executive director

MRWC names new executive directorLAWRENCE -- Curt Rogers has joined the Merrimack River Watershed Council as its new executive director. “We are excited to have Curt join the MRWC team,” said board President Sarah Boehm. “Curt's experience leading other non-profit...

Officials to address contamination in Merrimack River with new federal funding

April 25th 2022: MRWC has been awarded $352,000 from Congress to pinpoint sources of pollution along the Merrimack, and to craft "green infrastructure" projects to help prevent contaminants from entering the river. Read the full story from the Lowell Sun.

Mass. finalizes public alert system for sewage discharges

Here’s a look at the newly-approved rule for reporting sewage releases on Masscahusetts rivers

Boston Herald “Baker Signs Bill Forcing Alerts of Sewage Dumps”

“This legislation has been
in the making for about a decade. It’s been a long battle for transparency about this public health issue,”

Merrimack River Watershed Council applauds passage of Sewage Public Notification Law

Merrimack River Watershed Council (MRWC) applauds Gov. Charlie Baker for signing into law a bill that will require sewage plants to quickly inform the public whenever they release untreated sewage into a river.

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Support Aquatic Wildlife Today!

You can purchase a specialty environmental license plate that will support the Massachusetts Environmental Trust. Learn about the three different types of specialty environmental plates.