Celebrating community leadership and progress for clean water and river health, American Rivers has named the Neuse River the “River of the Year” for 2022.
The national honor comes on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act – bipartisan legislation that protects the fundamental right to clean water nationwide.
Before the Act was signed into law in 1972, the Neuse River was choked with pollution from textile mills and other manufacturing.
The federal safeguards provided by the Clean Water Act, combined with local efforts to stem polluted runoff, improve water management and remove outdated dams have been the major drivers in the river’s ongoing recovery.
Over the years, local governments and the state have invested millions to upgrade failing wastewater facilities, reduce polluted runoff and protect critical areas of the watershed.
Samantha Krop, Sound Rivers' Neuse Riverkeeper, says the Neuse shows what’s possible when strong federal clean water safeguards meet innovative, community-led solutions.
