News
![3M To Stop Making PFAS Chemicals](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f887cbf23d461114a0cf95f/1677270339256-FGV5VVRJMTBYA5X5WS2N/3M+Company+Leaving+PFAS+Business.png)
3M To Stop Making PFAS Chemicals
3M Company announced that it will exit manufacturing of PFAS chemicals and work to discontinue use of PFAS in its products by the end of 2025.
![2022 Annual Report](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f887cbf23d461114a0cf95f/1671477980402-094QITMBGFN7FINIMG7L/TNRK+2022+Annual+Report.png)
2022 Annual Report
Thanks to supporters like you, 2022 was one of Tennessee Riverkeeper’s most productive and successful years. What sets us apart from other organizations is that we are not afraid to tackle polluters head on. We have one of the most active environmental litigation programs in the United States. We have also continued to educate hundreds of thousands of citizens about water quality and the threats from pollution with our presence in the news media and our use of social media platforms. Your ongoing support is crucial for us to continue this work into 2023 and beyond.
Letter to ranking members of Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
Dear Chairman Carper, Ranking Member Capito, Subcommittee Chair Duckworth, and Subcommittee Ranking Member Lummis:
We, the undersigned organizations, urge you to pass legislation to protect Americans’ drinking water from the class of toxic chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Every American should feel confident that the water coming out of our taps is both clean and safe.
Call on Congress to pass legislation to protect Americans’ drinking water from PFAS
Continuing to allow the widespread use of toxic PFAS that last forever virtually guarantees that our sources of drinking water will become contaminated. That’s why we’re urging Congress to act now – to move our economy from PFAS to safer alternatives and to strictly limit exposures and health damage as long as these chemicals remain in our environment. Tennessee Riverkeeper is sending this letter to the U.S. Senate in support of federal PFAS legislation that will protect our drinking water.
TENNESSEE RIVERKEEPER REMOVES OVER 4,400 POUNDS OF LITTER FROM CUMBERLAND RIVER
NASHVILLE, TN — Tennessee Riverkeeper’s cleanup resulted in more than 4,400 pounds of aquatic litter being removed from the Cumberland River on Thursday, April 28, 2022. In 2022, Riverkeeper has removed more than 5,600 pounds of waste from local waterways.
![TENNESSEE RIVERKEEPER REMOVES 323 POUNDS OF AQUATIC LITTER FROM BRUSH CREEK](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f887cbf23d461114a0cf95f/1650155465016-HYLBRF4FLPFU752TOD2D/Riverkeeper+group+photo+20220416+Decatur+Brush+Creek.jpg)
TENNESSEE RIVERKEEPER REMOVES 323 POUNDS OF AQUATIC LITTER FROM BRUSH CREEK
DECATUR, AL — On Saturday, April 16, 2022, Tennessee Riverkeeper removed 323 pounds of aquatic litter from Brush Creek, a tributary of the Tennessee River in Decatur, Alabama. This cleanup was organized by nonprofit Tennessee Riverkeeper. Ten volunteers removed mostly plastic waste from the shore and on the water using canoes and kayaks.
Riverkeeper's David Whiteside: The making of an environmental activist
In first grade, David Whiteside — now 43 and executive director of the Decatur-based nonprofit Tennessee Riverkeeper — was engaged in a class discussion triggered by a Weekly Reader article about pollution.
Federal Judge Approves Tennessee Riverkeeper Settlement with 3M and Other Defendants
DECATUR, AL – United States District Court Judge Liles C. Burke approved the Tennessee Riverkeeper organization’s PFAS settlement with the 3M Company and various other corporate defendants.
![2020 Giving tuesday](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f887cbf23d461114a0cf95f/1606865441508-9YQZZ7VIMKP824P2MWYV/Givtuesday.jpg)
2020 Giving tuesday
2020 Giving Tuesday Highlights
![RIVERKEEPER Cleans up another 2,068 pounds of aquatic litter at betty rye branch](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f887cbf23d461114a0cf95f/1606778138380-SGJ0YSW9J817K7PLZSMZ/2020_0619_PressRelease_OldMorganCountyLandfill+PFAS.jpg)
RIVERKEEPER Cleans up another 2,068 pounds of aquatic litter at betty rye branch
DECATUR, AL —Recent sampling by Tennessee Riverkeeper identified high levels of several PFAS Chemicals (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) flowing out of the old city landfill into Mud Tavern Creek along Old Moulton Road southwest of Decatur.
![A.D.E.M. fails us again](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f887cbf23d461114a0cf95f/1603503037434-ZL7OFLYRVNS16G8UV8FF/ADEM-Tennessee-Riverkeeper.jpg)
A.D.E.M. fails us again
The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) is among nation’s weakest state agencies when it comes to enforcing laws and protecting our water and air.
![Musicians FOR TENNESSEE RIVERKEEPER](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f887cbf23d461114a0cf95f/1606789012655-B7BJREBB4LJODTIYDC27/MusiciansforRiverkeeperRCash.jpg.png)
Musicians FOR TENNESSEE RIVERKEEPER
Musicians speak up for the mission of Tennessee Riverkeeper
![tennessee riverkeeper sues manchester for sewage overflows](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f887cbf23d461114a0cf95f/1606778138380-SGJ0YSW9J817K7PLZSMZ/2020_0619_PressRelease_OldMorganCountyLandfill+PFAS.jpg)
tennessee riverkeeper sues manchester for sewage overflows
DECATUR, AL —Recent sampling by Tennessee Riverkeeper identified high levels of several PFAS Chemicals (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) flowing out of the old city landfill into Mud Tavern Creek along Old Moulton Road southwest of Decatur.
![ALARMING LEVELS OF PFAS CHEMICALS FOUND IN MORGAN COUNTY](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f887cbf23d461114a0cf95f/1606778138380-SGJ0YSW9J817K7PLZSMZ/2020_0619_PressRelease_OldMorganCountyLandfill+PFAS.jpg)
ALARMING LEVELS OF PFAS CHEMICALS FOUND IN MORGAN COUNTY
DECATUR, AL —Recent sampling by Tennessee Riverkeeper identified high levels of several PFAS Chemicals (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) flowing out of the old city landfill into Mud Tavern Creek along Old Moulton Road southwest of Decatur.
NASHVILLE SCENe: TVA Agrees to Get Its Ash out of Gallatin
![COVID-19 LIKELY TRANSMITTED BY SEWAGE AND SEWER OVERFLOWS](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f887cbf23d461114a0cf95f/1606778044004-JDNT973B1BXGNOEBZ38W/2020_0325_PressRelease_COVID19Sewage.jpg)
COVID-19 LIKELY TRANSMITTED BY SEWAGE AND SEWER OVERFLOWS
Scientists and other experts have determined that COVID-19 can be transmitted through sewage and sewage overflows. A report in the Journal of the American Medical Association noted that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can be detected in live feces, meaning it can be transmitted through fecal matter.
WAFF NBC 48 - Tennessee River Cleanup this Saturday in Decatur
![DON’T TRASH NASH](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f887cbf23d461114a0cf95f/1603237368254-I6Y2TS53W6JJAT9G4H9C/donttrashnash.jpg)
DON’T TRASH NASH
Tennessee Riverkeeper launches #DontTrashNash as part of their microplastics and cleanup program.
![TAKE ACTION – FOREVER CHEMICALS](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f887cbf23d461114a0cf95f/1603238491254-T1O82UUH0AKJMB3KVJX5/Forever-Chemicals.png)
TAKE ACTION – FOREVER CHEMICALS
Forever Chemicals impact most Americans, especially firefighters. Our public institutions are failing to protect us.
![MICROPLASTICS](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f887cbf23d461114a0cf95f/1603460925988-UKOXO7MLZUUX8D6FW9PU/microplastics-2-small-1.jpg)
MICROPLASTICS
The Tennessee River is polluted by as many as 16,000 - 18,000 particles per cubic meter.