Climate Café - Treading Dangerous Waters - April 20th, 2024

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The mighty Merrimack is just one of many rivers abused over the past 200 years – used as an open sewer and dumping ground for toxic chemicals. The Clean Water Act of 1972 was intended to rescue our rivers and make them “fishable and swimmable” again. But 50 years later, we are losing ground because of obsolete sewer systems, unregulated development, and climate change!

This past year, 2 BILLION gallons of CSOs (untreated sewage and toxic chemicals) were released into the Merrimack. The “stuff” pollutes everything in its path—it clings to boats, splashes up on boardwalks, and poisons our waters for days after severe rains. Record rainfalls this past summer triggered sewer overflows that closed our waters for most of June and July (39 of 61 days) because of dangerous bacteria levels.

Almost 2 million people who depend on a clean river for their livelihood, recreation, and drinking water are affected by sewer overflows. Residents who live in communities with these obsolete sewer systems (Manchester to Haverhill) are especially at risk. But “dangerous waters”  also impact downstream communities like ours  – our public health, economy, and way of life.

The problem can be fixed, but it could take two decades or more before monies are allocated to replace old infrastructure. Can we afford to wait that long? What will happen to our river in the meantime? What if our waterways and beaches had to close for an entire summer? How can we mobilize river communities and state and federal officials to ensure our generation can enjoy a “swimmable and fishable” Merrimack?

What are we waiting for? After all, what could be more important than clean water?

We look forward to seeing you on April 20!

Jaedin and Shari