The Tennessee River, a crucial resource for Chattanooga and the surrounding region, is increasingly threatened by plastic pollution. With some of the highest concentrations of microplastics globally, this pollution jeopardizes the river’s ecosystem and the health of the communities dependent on it for drinking water, recreation, and economic activities. WaterWays is at the forefront of tackling this issue with a multifaceted approach that combines community engagement, direct action, and data-driven strategies.
The Adopt-A-WaterWay program empowers individuals and community groups to take ownership of their local waterways. By adopting a section of a stream or river, participants pledge to carry out at least one stewardship activity per year. This could include litter clean-ups, educational outreach, or monitoring water quality. The program not only fosters a sense of responsibility but also builds a network of engaged citizens actively working to protect our water resources.
In addition to this ongoing commitment, WaterWays hosts large-scale litter clean-up events like the Tennessee River Rescue, the region’s longest-running clean-up initiative. In 2023 alone, over 1,000 volunteers across Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama participated in this event, removing approximately 12 tons of trash, 130 tires, and 800 pounds of bulk items such as furniture and appliances. The visibility of these efforts, amplified by media coverage, reached an estimated 40,000 people, raising awareness of the critical litter issues facing our watershed.
WaterWays is also leading the way with innovative solutions like litter traps. The installation of the first litter trap in the Chattanooga region marked a significant milestone in the fight against plastic pollution. In just the first year, this trap captured over 9,000 pounds of litter, primarily plastics and Styrofoam. This data is invaluable, not only highlighting the scale of the problem but also helping to identify litter hot spots. WaterWays is collaborating with the City of Chattanooga to develop a litter hot spot map, a critical tool for guiding future clean-up efforts and informing a master plan to reduce litter throughout the Tennessee River Watershed.
Ongoing and future monitoring is essential to the success of these initiatives. By continuously collecting and analyzing data on the types and quantities of litter, WaterWays can refine its strategies and focus resources where they are needed most. This monitoring also provides the evidence needed to bring in new partners and secure additional funding, ensuring that our efforts can be sustained and expanded over time.
WaterWays hopes to grow these initiatives. With additional funding from municipal, federal, and public donations, we can increase the scale and frequency of clean-up events, expand the Adopt-A-WaterWay program, and enhance our monitoring efforts. By doing so, we move closer to our ultimate goal: a Trash Free Tomorrow for the Tennessee River and the communities that depend on it.
