GEF

Unit 2  |  Water Science and the Water Cycle 62 WATER CONCEPTS: THE CHARLES RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION (CRWA) A watershed framework is a powerful way for communities to develop ties with each other and the water resources that sustain them. In the U.S. and many other countries, residents have formed organizations that enable people living within a watershed to improve water quality, manage water for human use and wildlife, and rehabilitate green spaces that border rivers and other water bodies. The Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) in eastern Massachusetts is one such organization, successfully coordinating the efforts of scientists, lawyers, and volunteers in order to improve the health of the 80-mile-long Charles River and surrounding land areas. Focusing on research, advocacy, and education, the CRWA advises businesses, government, and the public about site selection for construction projects in order to reduce runoff and improve groundwater quality. The CRWA also monitors pollution levels and pinpoints pollution sources. One measure of the organization’s effectiveness is a significant improvement of water quality in the Charles River. In the 1950s, journalists observed that the river was so full of pollutants such as oil and industrial waste that it was unlikely to be “mistaken for water.” Following decades of cleanup efforts, pollution regulations, and land use changes coordinated by the CRWA, the river is sufficiently clean for swimming and boating along most of its length. The watershed perspective advocated by the CRWA is a key component in maintaining the health of this vital resource.