Innovating for a More Equitable and Sustainable Water Future
Welcome to the SWPA Water Network, a coalition of organizations working to improve water quality and access in the Upper Ohio River Basin. Our mission is to promote sustainable water management practices and ensure that everyone in the region has access to clean, safe, and affordable water. With a focus on collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and community engagement, we are working to address the key water-related challenges facing our region, from climate change and stormwater runoff to agricultural practices and public awareness. Join us in our efforts to protect and preserve our most vital natural resource - water.
OUR LATEST NEWS
Wait, You Need a License to Collect Stream Bugs in Pennsylvania?
File this one under things that surprised us. If you want to scoop a net through a Pennsylvania stream and count the mayfly larvae to…
Data Centers Are Coming to Pennsylvania. What Does That Mean for Our Water?
Data centers are the buildings behind the cloud, streaming, and the current wave of artificial intelligence. They are also some of the thirstiest facilities being…
Ohio River Basin Alliance Summit Set for October: Proposals Due August 10
The Ohio River Basin Alliance’s 2026 Summit takes place October 14 to 16 at the Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio, bringing together watershed groups,…
Reporting: West Virginia’s Flood Prevention Plans Have Sat Unfunded for Two Decades
Mountain State Spotlight reports that July’s deadly flooding hit communities that state flood plans have flagged since 2004, while the Flood Resiliency Office created after…
West Virginia Still Waiting on Federal Disaster Declaration After Deadly July Flooding
More than a week after the July 21 flash floods that killed two people and destroyed at least 33 homes in Lewis and Upshur counties,…
Comments Due August 10 on Wastewater Permit for Huge New Homer City Gas Plant
Homer City Redevelopment is seeking an NPDES permit to discharge 6.84 million gallons per day of wastewater from a new 4.4 gigawatt gas-fired power plant,…
Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds Opens Fall Grant Cycle, Including $475,000 for Raccoon Creek
The Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds is accepting applications for its fall 2026 Conservation Grants, which average $20,000 and fund on-the-ground restoration and water quality improvement…
H2Ohio Rivers Program Puts $87,000 Into Volunteer River Cleanups
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources announced $87,000 in H2Ohio Rivers Program grants on July 30 to twelve canoe liveries and river groups across the…
New Resource: A State-by-State Guide to the Contaminants Slipping Through Our Water Rules
The Water Center at Penn has released a new state-by-state report and interactive StoryMap on contaminants of emerging concern in U.S. drinking water.
When the Water Runs Orange: Cleaning Up Mine Drainage Is Also Bringing People Back
New University of Pittsburgh research shows that restoring rivers polluted by acid mine drainage helps Pennsylvania coal communities hold onto residents, and costs less than traditional economic incentives.
The Contaminants Your Water Rules Haven’t Caught Up To Yet
A July 2026 report from The Water Center at Penn shows how far U.S. drinking water rules lag behind the science on contaminants of emerging concern, and what it means for Pennsylvania.
Mountain Watershed Association Hosts Public Meeting on Youghiogheny River Conservation Plan July 30
Mountain Watershed Association is holding a public meeting Thursday, July 30 from 6 to 8 pm to gather community input for the Youghiogheny River Conservation…
