The Muddy Water Watch® (MWW) is a project by North Carolina’s RIVERKEEPERs® to reduce the amount of sediment washing into the state’s streams and rivers from construction sites and other land disturbance activities. MWW trains citizens to review construction permits and knowledgeably evaluate the effectiveness of erosion control measures at construction sites. Where state inspectors are spread too thin to effectively monitor all construction sites, MWW volunteers are trained to properly document and report suspected permit violations and inadequate erosion control. MWW tracks and follows through on such reports. The end result is a more efficient and effective construction inspection process and less sediment washing into our overtaxed streams and rivers.

What does it take to volunteer for Muddy Water Watch?

Before Muddy Water Watch volunteers can inspect their first site, they must complete approximately 12-14 hours of training in the construction permitting process, basic sediment control technology, and the Muddy Water Watch reporting methodology. Instructors will be local professionals in the process. Volunteers will learn how to “read” a construction site. In the Cape Fear River Watch program, this training takes place over three evening sessions and a Saturday on-site visit.

After training, volunteer Muddy Water Watchers commit at least 2 hours per month to inspecting construction sites and reporting the results. This may take some flexibility as the best time to observe a site may be during or immediately after a heavy rainfall. Additionally, MWW volunteers are expected to participate in additional continuing training sessions to keep current with local permitting changes, sediment control advances, and MWW program enhancements.

So we get to stick it to those nasty developers, right?

You’re going to be very disappointed. CFRW’s Muddy Water Watch program aims to be collaborative before being confrontational. After training, you will likely see a lot more going on at a construction site than you did before. You may find yourself being quite impressed with all the safeguards taken that you never noticed before at even the smallest site. When poor sediment control is found, it is most important to correct the problems.

I want to do this! When can I start?

CFRW ran the first round of training over the summer. To be alerted when the next round starts, contact CFRW Program Director Joe Abbate (joe@cfrw.us) at 910-762-5606.

I think this is a very useful program and I’d like to help, but I’m not much for walking around in the mud. Can I still help?

Yes. Not all Muddy Water Watchers have to watch the muddy water. MWW also needs indoor, office and record keeping-type help. Contact Joe for details. Yes, you still need to attend the training sessions.