Potomac Programs

“Clean water is a fundamental human right. The greatest legacy we can leave for our children is access to clean water. Safeguarding the Nation’s River, which provides drinking water to approximately seven million people, is a serious responsibility.” – Dean Naujoks, Potomac Riverkeeper

Enforcement & Advocacy

PRKN  fights to protect the public from eating contaminated oysters

PRKN has joined the State of Maryland in a lawsuit based on PRKN’s investigation of sewer overflows by  St. Mary’s County’s Metropolitan Commission (MetCom) that contaminated downstream oyster beds.  The state and PRKN are seeking an injunction ordering MetCom to cease sewage overflows from its sewer system and to perform necessary corrective action for persistent and illegal discharges of raw sewage from its wastewater treatment plant into the Potomac River and its tributaries upstream from commercially harvested oyster beds.

PRKN works to enhance public access to the Potomac River

Through its Swimmable Potomac campaign, PRKN is absolutely on the right side of the battle to improve water quality and enhance public access to the Potomac River for everyone.

Working with our partner, Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, Congress has passed legislation requiring the US Army Corps of Engineers to study the feasibility of swimming beaches in the District of Columbia.

PRKN Says “Enough” to Alexandria’s Decades-long Toxic Pollution

In 2022, Potomac Riverkeeper Network filed a lawsuit in federal court against the City of Alexandria for its continued discharges of toxic coal tar waste into the Potomac River, violations of the Clean Water Act and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

Program News

Press Release

NOTICE OF INTENT TO SUE NEW PAK, INC.…

Oct 13, 2022

Investigations Show Company’s Inadequate Sediment Control During Poultry House Construction Violates Clean Water Act, Pollutes Trout…

swimming in the potomac river

Robert Dreher Urges DC City Council to lift…

Oct 5, 2022

Robert Dreher, PRKN Acting Vice President of Programs & Litigation, recently testified before the DC City…

Press Release

NOTICE OF INTENT TO SUE ST. MARY’S COUNTY…

Oct 4, 2022

Data Show County’s Wastewater Discharges Violate Clean Water Act, Pollute Oyster Beds, and Harm Watermen and…

swimmable potomac report 2022

Swimmable Potomac Report 2022

Jun 2, 2022

Our Swimmable Potomac Report summarizing the findings of the Community Science Water Quality Monitoring program has…

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