Protecting clean water takes a movement of many willing to investigate pollution, challenge polluters, defend our communities, and keep showing up.
During Waterkeeper Alliance’s 2021–2026 strategic plan, our global network collected 91,000 water samples, investigated 15,367 sites, responded to 12,301 pollution reports, and filed 649 lawsuits. Waterkeepers and their communities organized 11,293 cleanups, removed 13.1 million pounds of trash, and engaged 345,661 students.
In 2026, we worked with Atchafalaya Basinkeeper and partners to stop the East Grand Lake Project in Louisiana. We organized volunteers to collect and document nearly 1.1 million plastic pellets across 31 states, Washington, D.C., and six countries. We increased access to PFAS data to frontline and disproportionately impacted communities. And, we grew our reach by welcoming six new Waterkeeper groups to our global network.
Our 2026 Impact Report: Accountability in Action captures these efforts and much more as we conclude our 2021–2026 strategic plan and look toward the next five years.
The challenges facing our waterways continue. So does the work of the people protecting them. We’re carrying the experience, partnerships, and momentum of this strategic chapter into the future.
Explore our impact and learn more about what we’ve planned for the next five years.