Tennessee Clean Water Network

Tennessee Clean Water Network

Tennessee Clean Water Network

The Tennessee Clean Water Network (TCWN) is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and enhancing the quality of water resources in the state of Tennessee. The organization works through advocacy, education, and legal action to ensure that the state's water bodies are safe and clean for all residents and wildlife.

History

The Tennessee Clean Water Network was founded in 1998 by a group of concerned citizens and environmental advocates. The organization was established in response to growing concerns about water pollution and the need for stronger enforcement of the Clean Water Act in Tennessee.

Mission

The mission of TCWN is to empower Tennesseans to exercise their right to clean water and healthy communities by fostering civic engagement, building partnerships, and advocating for sound water policies. The organization focuses on protecting rivers, streams, lakes, and wetlands from pollution and degradation.

Programs and Initiatives

TCWN operates several key programs and initiatives aimed at improving water quality in Tennessee:

• Water Quality Monitoring: TCWN conducts regular water quality monitoring to identify sources of pollution and assess the health of water bodies across the state.
• Legal Advocacy: The organization uses legal tools to enforce environmental laws and hold polluters accountable. This includes filing lawsuits and working with regulatory agencies.
• Public Education: TCWN provides educational resources and conducts outreach to inform the public about water quality issues and how they can get involved in protecting their local water resources.
• Policy Advocacy: The organization advocates for stronger water protection policies at the local, state, and federal levels.

Key Achievements

Over the years, TCWN has achieved several significant victories in its efforts to protect Tennessee's water resources:

• Successfully advocating for stricter regulations on coal ash disposal to prevent contamination of water supplies.
• Securing legal settlements that require polluters to clean up contaminated sites and restore affected water bodies.
• Partnering with local communities to develop and implement watershed protection plans.

Partnerships

TCWN collaborates with a variety of partners, including other environmental organizations, community groups, government agencies, and academic institutions. These partnerships help to amplify the impact of their work and foster a collaborative approach to water protection.

See Also

• Clean Water Act
• Environmental Protection Agency
• Water pollution
• Non-profit organization
• Environmental advocacy