Water quality
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Protecting connected waters
Watershed stewardship starts far beyond the shoreline.
CLWA monitors water quality, reduces nutrient pollution, supports fish passage, protects public water resources, and helps residents understand how everyday land-use decisions affect Chebacco Lake.
Nutrients
Reduce pollution
Watershed
Protect connected lands
Community
Coordinate local action
What CLWA does
Practical stewardship across the watershed
Collecting Water-Quality Data
CLWA compares current lake-health indicators with historical records to understand oxygen depletion, nutrient cycling, clarity, and long-term change.
Mitigating Nutrient Overloading
For nearly four decades, CLWA has promoted low-phosphorus living, responsible septic design, reduced runoff, and open water channels.
Building a Watershed Coalition
The Association connects residents, local organizations, municipal leaders, elected officials, and state experts around shared watershed priorities.
Fending Off Algae Blooms
Monitoring, nutrient reduction, public awareness, and early action can reduce risk and improve the community response when cyanobacteria appears.
Reducing Invasive Plant Growth
CLWA supports early identification, prevention, lake surveys, and carefully evaluated management approaches for invasive aquatic plants.
Improving Alewife Migration
Each spring, CLWA works with Marine Fisheries and the Town of Essex to help keep Alewife Brook open for returning fish.
10,541 alewife counted in 2025
Protecting Public Water Supplies
Responsible stewardship helps safeguard public wells, recharge areas, wetlands, ponds, and future drinking-water resources throughout the watershed.
Promoting Responsible Land Use
CLWA advocates for decisions that protect water quality, habitat, groundwater recharge, and the watershed's long-term resilience.
Learn more
Watershed stewardship articles
At home
Actions residents can take now
Maintain Your Septic System
Pump regularly and address warning signs before pollution reaches groundwater or surface water.
Reduce Fertilizer Use
Use only what your soil needs and keep excess nutrients out of lakes, ponds, and streams.
Manage Stormwater
Direct rain toward planted areas, reduce erosion, and help water soak into the ground.
Plant Native Buffers
Native trees, shrubs, grasses, and flowers stabilize soil and naturally filter runoff.
Prevent Invasive Species
Clean, drain, and dry boats, trailers, paddles, anchors, and fishing equipment.
Report Watershed Concerns
Share suspected blooms, erosion, dumping, invasive species, or unusual water conditions.