Trash that builds up in the Mon River is cleared during the annual Mon River Sweep. Credit: Provided
The Monongahela River may look calm, but pollution floating on its surface is raising concerns about water safety in West Virginia.
Nearly half of the nation’s rivers and streams are too polluted for safe use, according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s most recent report, and West Virginia is among the hardest hit.
Trash often builds up along the Monongahela River, from plastic bottles to large debris. Pollution not only harms aquatic life through ingestion or entanglement but also threatens the health and safety of the people who rely on the water daily.
On April 18, volunteers gathered for the third annual Mon River Sweep to remove trash and raise awareness of the growing issue. Participants said that small actions, such as picking up litter, can make a big difference when organized groups combine their efforts.
“I mean, the easiest thing is just seeing litter and picking it up,” Thomas Hogan, one of the volunteers, said. “If everybody in the community could do that, there is a massive chance that could happen.”
“About 2 million tons of waste are dumped into the world’s water every single day,” Hogan added. “Here in West Virginia, more than 40 percent of rivers are considered too polluted for safe use, making events like this more important than ever.”
Last year, about 70 volunteers collected 6,000 pounds of trash from the river and surrounding areas. Organizers say events like the Mon River Sweep are becoming increasingly essential as water pollution grows.
Amayah Hamilton, a water remediation specialist at the West Virginia Water Research Institute, said the problem is tied in part to a lack of funding to help clean up the rivers
“We are part of the Ohio River basin, and the basin does not receive any federal money to help keep it clean,” Hamilton said.
The Monongahela River spans more than 130 miles and serves as a major water source in the Appalachian region. Volunteers say the goal is not only to clean the river but also to raise awareness of ongoing pollution concerns across West Virginia.
This article was adapted from a television news story using AI. All reporting, facts, and quotes from sources are original. AI was only used to assist with formatting and style for a digital platform.