Sep 08, 2026
‘Cut The Crap’: Water Advocates Rally For Sewage-Free Rivers
Combined sewer overflows are a major source of pollution in the Charles and Mystic rivers and are becoming more frequent due to intense rainstorms caused by climate change.
Campaign: Charles River
Oct 31, 2024
CLF, CRWA Lawsuit Leads to Federal Permit to Reduce Pollution in Boston-area Rivers
As a result of a lawsuit filed by Conservation Law Foundation and the Charles River Watershed Association, the Environmental Protection Agency published a draft permit to limit toxic stormwater pollution in three important rivers of Greater Boston.
Sep 20, 2024
Charles River Experiences First Cyanobacteria Bloom in Four Years
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed on Thursday a cyanobacteria bloom in the Charles River downstream of the Longfellow Bridge – the river’s first major bloom in four years.
Jun 25, 2024
Toxic Water Ruins New England Summer Fun
Toxic blue-green algae makes it dangerous to swim for humans and animals, and climate change is making it worse.
Aug 25, 2023
A Dog’s Life on the Line: Blue-Green Algae Threatens Pets and People
CLF’s top dog calls for action on toxic pollution that can kill dogs and sicken people
Aug 23, 2023
A Step Closer to Cleaner Water on Boston’s Rivers
The Charles, Neponset, and Mystic Rivers are one step closer to getting cleaned up, thanks to action by CLF.
Jul 26, 2023
Climate Change + Stormwater Pollution Equals Dirty, Unsafe Swimming Holes
Numerous beach closures in the summer of 2023 were a result of climate change and stormwater pollution.
Jul 18, 2023
A Win for the Charles, Mystic, and Neponset Rivers
“These iconic rivers are inundated with stormwater pollution that makes boating, fishing, and swimming unsafe,” said Heather Govern, CLF’s Vice President of Clean Air and Water. “The court’s decision today sets a timeline to clean up this problem that has plagued the Charles, Mystic, and Neponset Rivers for far too long. EPA is now on the hook to issue draft permits by September 2024, which is a clear victory for clean water in Greater Boston.”
Nov 03, 2022
Boston does not love that dirty water storm runoff, says new lawsuit
With heavier rainfall events expected as a result of climate change, the groups said there’s little time to waste to protect Boston’s waterways. “These iconic rivers are suffering because of the EPA’s consistent foot-dragging,” said Heather Govern, CLF’s vice president of clean air and water.
Nov 02, 2022
Groups Sue EPA for Failure to Fully Protect Boston Rivers
“These iconic rivers are suffering because of the EPA’s consistent foot-dragging,” said Heather Govern, CLF’s Vice President of Clean Air and Water. “Despite all the evidence linking stormwater pollution to dirty and unsafe water, the agency has failed to take legally required steps to address this growing problem. We have waited over three years for them to regulate the pollution, and these rivers cannot wait any longer.”