Is clean water important to you?
Clean Waters Houston,
A Nonprofit Organization,
Our plans are to greatly reduce the amount of aquatic debris that enters Galveston Bay from Houston’s bayous and tributaries.
About Us
Clean Waters Houston (CWH) is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit Organization located in the Greater Houston/ Galveston Area.
CWH was formed in May of 2023 with the overall mission to create a healthy ecological marine ecosystem by the collection and elimination of aquatic pollution and debris within the Port of Houston and its tributaries prior to introduction into the Gulf of Mexico.
​
Plastic pollution is one of the greatest threats to the health of our oceans. With the increase in plastic production, low levels of recycling and poor waste management between four and twelve million metric tons of plastic will enter the ocean each calendar year which is enough to cover every foot of coastline on the planet. That amount of plastic is projected to triple over the next 20 years.
​
Every single year marine plastics cost the economy between six to nineteen billions of dollars. This has an impact on tourism, fisheries, and aquaculture but does not include the impact on our health and on the marine ecosystem. The interception of plastic in rivers and tributaries is much more cost effective than dealing with the downstream consequences within open water collection efforts.
​
One of the reasons that plastic pollution is such a problem is simply that it does not go away: “plastics are forever.” Aquatic Plastic Pollution breakdown into smaller particles known as microplastics. These tiny particles very easily pass through our water filtration systems and end up in the ocean, posing a potential threat to aquatic life. The overall environmental impacts continue to be studied and determined.
​
Clean Waters Houston intent is to focus primary efforts on the prevention, collection and removal of aquatic debris from Buffalo Bayou, Sims Bayou, Greens Bayou, and Brays Bayou, as taking the first step in the protection of the Houston / Galveston Bay area.
What we do
Identify the most problematic bayous in the Port of Houston
We greatly reduce the amount of aquatic trash from entering the ship channel from the many bayous and waterways from the surrounding areas of Houston. Each waterway presents a unique challenge and will have to be addressed differently. We will research each waterway and come up with the best course of action to reduce the influx of aquatic debris into the ship channel.
Shoreline Cleanup
With containment booms, we isolate one section at a time and will perform shoreline cleanup. This aids in preventing any future debris from refloating out to our area fishing grounds in Galveston Bay and or landing on any of our area beaches during the next tidal surge or floods.
Aquatic Debris Education
We will educate volunteers, students, and the public on the importance of disposing of refuse properly both in the field and in the classroom setting.
Hazardous Navigational Aquatic Debris Removal
Large floating objects such as logs and fallen trees often make their way out of the bayou and into the upper ship channel. This poses a danger to the men and women working on the Coast Guard, sheriff, and line handling boats. Hitting these objects, especially at night, can be catastrophic. We will eventually offer a 24hr emergency service to remove these navigational hazards.
Wildlife Conservation
With the removal of aquatic marine pollution, the risk to all wildlife is substantially reduced. The bird and fish populations will greatly benefit from our services.
Mission Statement
To create a healthy ecological marine ecosystem by the collection and elimination of aquatic pollution and debris within the Port of Houston and its tributaries prior to introduction into the Gulf of Mexico. We will accomplish this by:
​
-
The collection and recovery of marine aquatic debris at its source to prevent further ecological damage to area beaches, open oceans, and aquatic wildlife.
-
Educating the public sector by raising awareness on the issue of aquatic debris and inspiring change through education and outreach.
-
Working with Houston area business partners, city municipalities, and local area governments on initiatives to find solutions to make the mitigation of marine debris more effective.
Vision Statement
Clean Water Houston envisions a healthy marine ecosystem for the long-term benefit of people, marine wildlife, cleaner beaches and all life on the Earth.
