Water Quality Information Clearinghouse Network

If you're interested in watersheds (especially your own) and concerned about water quality and other watershed issues, you should first of all know that you are not alone.

There are government agencies at all levels charged with administering and enforcing laws, regulations, and codes aimed at protecting watersheds and preserving water quality. These agencies are often also sources of information and other resources and services that you can use to learn about and become better advocates for your watershed. The Missouri Stream Team program is an excellent example of the latter, providing training, equipment, and an organizational structure for citizens conducting stream cleanups, water quality monitoring, and more.

But agencies can't do it all. Laws and regulations are in many cases inadequate, failing to provide agencies with the authority to provide the protection watersheds need. And those regulations that do exist are not always enforced, as agencies struggle with insufficient funding and yield to the pressure of powerful interest groups.

Filling the gaps and helping to provide the watershed protection that agencies can't or won't are people like you (to quote PBS). Some have organized around local watersheds, while others operate within existing water-related groups (such as recreational associations) to stimulate action on regional and statewide water protection issues. As repositories of knowledge and experience, and with their own connections to like-minded citizens, these groups are invaluable resources for information, assistance, and building ad-hoc networks or more permanent coalitions.

Lists of water-oriented groups throughout Missouri and state and federal agencies concerned with water issues can be found by clicking on the links below. If you would like to suggest others to be included on the lists, please send your suggestions to dsherburne@moenviron.org.