Volunteers are needed for the 24th Annual River Sweep this June 21, from 8 a.m. to noon to help clean up stream and riverbanks in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Washington and Westmoreland Counties.

The River Sweep, an annual six-state effort to clean up litter and debris in the Ohio River watershed, is the largest organized volunteer river cleanup effort in the country. The event winds through Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Indiana, West Virginia and Illinois, covering more than 2,400 miles of shoreline.

“The River Sweep teaches river awareness and respect for our natural resources,” said Betsy Mallison, Pennsylvania River Sweep Coordinator. “Get your family involved, teach them about our waterways and help make a difference in our water quality.”

Volunteers are asked to wear sturdy shoes and long pants, and to bring work gloves, if available. Volunteers must sign a waiver and will receive a free River Sweep t-shirt for participating.

In Pennsylvania, the River Sweep is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) and a number of Pennsylvania corporate sponsors including Duquesne Light, EQT, Neville Chemical Company and Rex Energy.

There are 19 cleanup points in Pennsylvania.  Residents can find out more about River Sweep cleanup locations, by checking the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission website.

6/23/2014