Water

Protecting and celebrating our most vital resource

The PEC Water Program staff collaborates with partners across the Commonwealth to implement strategies aimed at preserving, protecting, and restoring our abundant water resources. We advocate for effective, common-sense regulations and policies supporting clean and healthy watershed communities. Our work connects people to their local waterways and water trails and educates and empowers citizens to be active, informed stewards of these resources. Our experienced water team staff accomplishes this work by:

  • Supporting local watershed groups across Pennsylvania with education and training, resources, and direct assistance through our affiliate organization, the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR)
  • Collaborating with various partner organizations, including non-profits, government entities, academic institutions, business, and industries to promote the use of nature-based stormwater management and water quality projects
  • Educating and empowering members of the public, municipal leaders, public works departments, and more to understand how policies and practices impact local water quality and the tools to help mitigate negative impacts
  • Creating lasting relationships with community members and multiple public, non-profit, and private organizations
  • Connecting people to their local waterways and water trails by developing routes and access points to increase recreational participation and supporting River Sojourns that celebrate Pennsylvania’s waterways
  • Reducing policy barriers to nature-based stormwater management practices in local codes and ordinances

Our Focus

Water Recreation

Improving access and promoting the use of Pennsylvania’s 86,000 stream miles

Water Quality 

Working with municipal, nonprofit, and grassroots partners to support watershed health

Watershed Organizations

Educating and engaging Pennsylvanians in stewardship of local waterways

Education and Resources

PEC provides educational resources, as well as in-person and online training sessions, to inform and empower municipalities, residents and businesses to better manage their stormwater runoff and reduce pollution entering their local waterbodies. Past topics include: green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) benefits, funding sources, municipal ordinance audits and more.

Click here to view a list of resources available to download.

Watershed News

A Legacy of Ideas and People

Last week, western Pennsylvania lost one of its most admired leaders: Jared “Jerry” Cohon. Among a long list of notable roles and accomplishments, somewhat less

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Why Winter Matters

Snowfall is below average for much of the Northeast, including most of Pennsylvania. While El Niño is partly to blame for this mild winter, human-caused

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PEC works with many groups to improve water quality in the Delaware River Bain by encouraging the use of Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI). GSI is a solution that can be deployed at almost any scale — from big commercial properties all the way down to residential backyards.