What You Can Do To Help?

Protecting the water in the Catawba-Wateree basin will not happen without citizen participation. The following is a partial list of ways in which ordinary people can help protect the water in the basin.

  • There is Something We Would Like to Clear UpUnderstand the issues.  Get educated about issues affecting the Catawba and Wateree Rivers.
  • Understand that individual actions matter.
    • Fertilize less.
    • Use less water.
    • Use less electricity (each kilowatt hour of electricity requires 25 gallons of water to generate)
    • Reduce impervious area (for example, instead of a concrete walkway, use gravel or pavers in sand).
    • Landscape with native plants that need less water.
    • Install rain barrels and use water from rain barrels for outdoor watering.
    • Create rain gardens to catch storm water.  For more information about rain gardens, click here.
    • Maintain natural areas as buffer zones around all creeks, lakes and other water bodies.
  • Report violations of environmental laws to the appropriate officials and/or the Riverkeeper.
  • Insist that public officials protect the River.
  • Support the Clean Water Restoration Act. (click here for Amended Bill Language)
  • Join CRF or support CRF financially (click here to join CRF or make a contribution).
  • Donate an old boat, office equipment or other item (click here for more information on donating a boat or other items).
  • Volunteer to help the Catawba Riverkeeper protect, educate and advocate (for more information about volunteer programs click here)
    • Become a Covekeeper, Covewatcher, Islandkeeper, Creekkeeper, or Waterwatcher (for more information about these programs click here).
    • Participate in the Muddy Water Watch program (for more information about the Muddy Water Watch program click here).
    • Join the Catawba Riverkeeper speaker bureau.
    • Participate in stream, river and lake cleanup days.
    • Volunteer other skills.

 

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Your River needs you as much as you need the River

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Help in other ways

News
May 15, 2013 Radiation Leak at Catawba Nuclear Station
On May 15, 2013, Duke Energy reported a leak of of radioactive Tritium at the Catawba Nuclear Station on Lake Wylie. The available information raises more questions than answers.
May 09, 2013 Public Officials Request that People Stay Off the River
High water levels in the lakes, and unusually high flows and fast-moving water in the riverine sections of the River, are combining to make the River unsafe for swimming and paddling. Trees, debris and sewage are being carried with the floodwaters. PLEASE DON'T ADD TO THE BURDEN OF ALREADY STRESSED EMERGENCY RESPONDERS BY DOING SOMETHING DUMB WHICH REQUIRES THEM TO COME RESCUE YOU!
May 07, 2013 Rains Bring Sewage Spills, Trash and Floods
Recent rains have lead to a rash of sewage spills, large amounts of trash in the streams and river, as well as flooding. This doesn't have to happen!
May 06, 2013 Special Interest Money Puts Garden Parkway Back on Priority List
URGENT CALL TO ACTION – STOP THE UNDEAD TOLL ROAD. YOUR PHONE CALLS AND EMAILS NEEDED BY TUESDAY MAY 7.
May 03, 2013 PCB problem not easily fixed, water experts say
Area water experts haven’t figured out why a substance banned decades ago seems to be showing up in local lakes. Nor, more importantly, are they sure how to fix the problem.
More news…
Report Pollution in the Catawba River

Help protect your River! 

Tell your Riverkeeper if you see:

  • Sewage Overflows
  • Failure to control sediment from construction sites
  • Illegal clearing of buffer areas
  • Fish kills 
  • Unpermitted discharges
  • Other issues that concern you

Click here to fill out a pollution report or to report water pollution to Catawba Riverkeeper by phone, call 1-888-679-9494 or 704-679-9494.  In addition, to informing your Riverkeeper, you should also report spills or contamination to federal, state and local environmental officials.

To report South Carolina water pollution call 1-888-481-0125.

To report North Carolina spills or fish kills, call your local regional Department of Environment & Natural Resources office during normal business hours (704-663-1699 for most Catawba basin areas or (828) 296-4500 for Burke, Caldwell, McDowell and other mountain counties) or 800-858-0368 after hours.  (For more information on NC spill reporting, click here)

Alliances

The Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation is a proud member of EarthShare North Carolina, the North Carolina Conservation Network, River Network and the Waterkeeper Alliance.  

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NC Conservation Network Logo

 

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421 Minuet Ln Ste 205 . Charlotte, NC 28217-2784 . Phone: 704.679.9494 . Fax: 704.679.9559