Because of you, Waterkeeper Alliance is taking on polluters and winning. Your support sustains stronger regulatory protections, accountability lawsuits, and grassroots advocacy for Waterkeeper Alliance and hundreds of local Waterkeeper groups protecting rivers, lakes, wetlands, streams, and coastlines around the world. Our movement is on the frontlines—from the Hudson River to Lake Victoria—monitoring pollution, challenging permits and lack of regulation, restoring ecosystems, and holding polluters accountable. This work is possible because you stand with us. Thank you for helping us fight for the right to clean water for everyone in 2026 and beyond.

Clean Water Defense Campaign Manager, Chelsea McDonald wrote a blog about the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) controversial approval of two pesticides containing PFAS for use on vegetables such as romaine lettuce, broccoli, and potatoes. Additional approvals for similar pesticides are expected from the agency. Waterkeeper Alliance is developing a response strategy, including legal and policy action, public education, and community organizing to stop the spread of PFAS pesticide contamination. Everyone is at risk, and anyone can join the fight against ‘forever chemicals.’ Learn more about PFAS here.

As a direct result of our PFAS Virtual Advocacy Week, during which 26 U.S. Waterkeeper groups met with more than 20 Congressional offices, two U.S. Senators have sent letters challenging the Department of Defense’s (DoD) decision to delay PFAS cleanups at nearly 140 military sites. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and Senator Patty Murray of Washington are urging the DoD to reverse its decision, return to the original cleanup schedule released in December 2024, and expedite efforts to remediate confirmed PFAS contamination. Under the existing decision, remediation efforts could be delayed by up to a decade, prolonging the exposure of military families and neighboring communities to these harmful chemicals and associated health risks.

The U.S. EPA and the U.S. Army Corps recently announced a proposed rule that will narrowly define the “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) in a way that will drastically eliminate federal Clean Water Act protections for the nation’s rivers, streams, lakes, wetlands, and other waters. The proposed rule would gut existing protections in numerous and extreme ways, including leaving more than 80% of mapped wetlands in the continuous U.S. unprotected against pollution and destruction. In addition to our initial response, Waterkeeper Alliance is working with U.S. Waterkeeper groups across the country to submit legal and technical comments to oppose the rule and to assess further action. Read our blog to learn more about WOTUS.

From November 4–7, Waterkeeper groups from Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Chile, Peru, and Mexico gathered in Oaxaca de Juárez, Mexico, for the 2025 Latin America Regional Summit. Hosted by Río Verde Waterkeeper, the summit brought groups together to build strategy, strengthen collaboration, and advance a regional movement tackling urgent environmental challenges. This network is determined to defend water, culture, and life itself, confronting extractivist economies, the climate crisis, and fighting for the Rights of Nature. The Summit highlighted the power of local leadership and collective action to reshape environmental governance. Read CEO Marc Yaggi’s blog to learn more about this inspiring gathering.

Our latest Who Is Waterkeeper profile and episode of the Equity In Every Drop podcast feature the inspiring work of Dr. Michelle Ryan, Hawkesbury-Nepean Waterkeeper. Dedicated to protecting every living creature, she has spent years on the river in New South Wales, Australia, deepening her appreciation for nature and strengthening her commitment to advocacy. We spoke with Michelle during the recent Oceania Regional Summit in Australia (see the blog above for more details) to learn about her research and efforts to protect the platypus, a vital indicator of water quality. She has also launched the Resilient Rivers Initiative to improve the river’s health and support all species that depend on it. Read the full profile and listen to the episode here or wherever you get your podcasts!

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