NRWA gathered data on river conditions near the Jackson Falls dam in Nashua, NH

Working in Many Ways to Protect Water Quality

NRWA works on ecological river restoration, vernal pool certifications, and outreach and education about water-related issues - Photo by Martha MorganIn addition to NRWA’s Water Monitoring Program and bacterial source tracking projects, we work on ecological river restoration, vernal pool certifications, and outreach and education about water-related issues. NRWA collaborates with Conservation Commissions and other local and state governing agencies regarding issues affecting rivers, streams, wetlands, lakes, and ponds. For instance, NRWA comments on surface water discharges, water withdrawals, dam removals, wetland filings, and Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) projects.

The following are examples of our other water protection projects:

  • NRWA is a participant in the Wekepeke Watershed Restoration Initiative – a restoration effort in the “Clinton Water Works” region of the Wekepeke Brook sub-watershed in Sterling and Leominster. The Initiative stems from a study conducted by Rushing Rivers Institute. Restoration efforts will aim to improve native brook trout habitat in this important cold water fishery. More on the background of the Wekepeke study.
  • NRWA met with Department of Public Works, Lions and Rotary Clubs, and Agricultural Commissions to increase awareness of good practices for road, lawn, field, and animal manure maintenance that help to keep our water clean.
  • NRWA collected water samples on the Nashua River in Nashua, New Hampshire for a project undertaken by Essex Hydropower Associates to gather data on river conditions near the Jackson Falls dam.
  • NRWA participates in regional projects like the Massachusetts Watershed Coalition’s Billion Gallons a Year (BGY) Initiative, the goal of which it to cleanse a billion gallons of stormwater in one year before it reaches local rivers and streams.

For more information about these or other water quality projects, please contact Martha Morgan, NRWA Water Programs Director, at (978) 448-0299, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..