Together, we can secure clean water for future generations. Your support this Giving November truly makes a difference in our work to protect the water quality of our three rivers to reach our mission of drinkable, swimmable, fishable waters for all.

What does clean water look like for those living within a complex system of waterways, nature, and industry? What work can be done to work towards clean water for our communities? And most importantly, what is Three Rivers Waterkeeper doing to help protect our waterways?

By the 1970s, Pittsburgh and cities across the US were well on their way to losing our most precious resource – clean water. In fact, two-thirds of all lakes, rivers, and coastal waters were unsafe for fishing or swimming, and 41% of water systems failed to meet the U.S. Public Health Service standards. Because of this, the United States Environmental Agency passed the Clean Water Act into law on October 18, 1972, making it illegal to pollute our waterways.

This single Act has led to remarkable turnarounds in water quality throughout the country, including here in Pittsburgh, PA. Our once almost dead river (The Mon) now supports a wide variety of wildlife, including our national bird, the Bald Eagle. Furthermore, on or along the Allegheny River, the US Forest Service has documented over 50 mammals, 200 birds, 25 amphibians, 20 reptiles, 80 fish, and 25 freshwater mussels. One thing was clear: advocacy efforts for clean water lead to better regulation and result in healthier waterways to our region.

Our waters, as well as our communities, are resilient, and history shows nature can restore herself. Let’s not stop here.

As your Three Rivers Waterkeeper, we will fight for your right to clean water. We are part of a global alliance that safeguards waterways and clean water rights for all, today and tomorrow. As your Three Rivers Waterkeeper, we monitor and patrol our waterways, test our waters for indications of continued health, steward and restore riparian zones, work with frontline community members, and hold polluters accountable.

This past September, Three Rivers Waterkeeper and PennEnvironment settled the first inland waterways (freshwater) case against a plastics pellet polluter in the Ohio River Watershed, establishing a zero tolerance for plastic pellet pollution in our state. This case was also the first time a regulatory agency intervened in the settlement, agreeing to and setting the precedent of a zero-pellet tolerance from a regulatory standpoint.

Our advocacy is truly in and for our communities - the grassroots efforts to connect with and fight for clean water. This year, we expanded our community education efforts and piloted our 3 Rivers Ambassador program. This program includes multiple pillars to become a water steward — including learning how to spot and report pollution and an opportunity to attend our immersive art & ecology program called Colors of the River, where attendees have an opportunity to connect with nature and explore natural pigments and their ecology.

Your generosity amplifies the voices of our community members, provides free educational programming and riparian stewardship, and allows us to rapidly respond to pollution reports. We hope you’ll help us invest in securing clean water by giving today – no donation is too small. Our collective voice has proven to drive direct action and change, and small wins in our community lead the path for larger success down the road.

Any amount helps, and we will use every bit of it to protect our waterways, communities, and clean water laws! We also know that not everyone can give, and that is okay! Feel free to support us by sharing this page, your knowledge, and love for our rivers, or volunteer your time at our next event!

Giving November 2025

Three Rivers, One Mission: Drinkable. Swimmable. Fishable.