How Healthy is Your Water?

The George Washington Memorial Parkway is located within the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay watersheds. Everything that occurs along the Parkway and in the surrounding towns and neighborhoods will affect the water in the area.

One of the main sources of drinking water in this area is the Potomac River. This 383 mile long river flows from West Virginia to the Chesapeake Bay, passing homes, neighborhoods, towns, and Washington D.C. along the way.

It is important to protect the health and cleanliness of the water we all depend on. This website is a resource page to help you learn more about water quality and to provide ways to help improve and protect the water we drink.

 

Water Quality Information
Water Quality Reports in Fairfax County

Watershed Restoration in Montgomery County- current projects to restore streams in the county.

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Ways You Can Help

Water Conservation- Fairfax County site with room by room tips on how you can conserve water at home.

Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin- Dedicated to water conservation and to improving the health of the Potomac River. The website has information, a monthly newsletter, and tips on how you can help improve water quality.

Potomac Conservancy- watershed maps, information, and many ways for you to get involved, including water conservation and volunteering.

Water Quality and Conservation from the city of Alexandria- tips on erosion, runoff, home water conservation, and more, along with why it is important to get involved.

BayScapes- Lawn care impacts our drinking water. Here are ways to improve your lawn's health through using specific plants and reducing the amount of water that leaves your home through runoff. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Reducing Stormwater Impacts- Arlington County website featuring ways to help control what goes into storm runoff, along with other tips to help improve the environment.

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Chesapeake Bay Resources
The Potomac River is the second largest source of freshwater for the Chesapeake Bay. Everything occuring within the Potomac River watershed will have an effect on the Bay as well. The following websites focus on the Chesapeake and include ways to help the Bay.

Chesapeake Bay Program- improving the health of the Bay, with resources for getting involved.

Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network- a network of parks and sites that are located within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Visit their About the Bay page for an overview of the Chesapeake.