Clean Water Protection
Reducing Pollution
The Harpeth River is working to reduce all types of water pollution statewide.
Water Pollution in Your Rivers
- Water pollution kills more people globally each year than all forms of war and violence combined.
- Water pollution can take the form of agricultural runoff (excessive nitrogen and phosphorus) fertilizer use, sewage and wastewater (including stormwater and industrial discharges), oil pollution, and others.
- The principal problem worldwide is excessive nutrient pollution. In the US, nonpoint source pollution, much of it excessive nutrient pollution, is the leading cause of water pollution. It is much the same in Tennessee.
- Nutrient pollution can lead to harmful algae blooms, which can sicken and kill people and animals.
Our Policy Priorities
Latest Posts

Advocacy Action Alert: Support the creation of a TN Office of Outdoor Recreation
The legislative season is upon us and we have an unusual opportunity to join forces to create a Tennessee Office of Outdoor Recreation (OREC) in

Harpeth Conservancy Monitoring the Development of “Ariza Bellevue” Project
Important Links: Bellevue Strong, Community Organization Site Ariza Bellevue, Developer’s Site Petition against new development in ‘flood-vulnerable’ area reaches 1,800 signatures (3/9/23: WSMV4) Bellevue development

Discharge Permit for Franklin Sewer Treatment Plant
Email Petition Instructions: Use our email petition form to the left in order to send a message to Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC)

Action Alert: Franklin Sewer Permit
YOUR ATTENDANCE AT THE AUGUST 30, 2022 PUBLIC HEARING AND WRITTEN COMMENTS TO TDEC ARE CRITICAL! THE HARPETH RIVER IS STILL IMPAIRED, BUT THE DRAFT

HC and others Comment on Cookeville Wastewater Treatment Plant Renewal
On June 2, 2022, Harpeth Conservancy along with the TN Chapter of the Sierra Club (TNSC), and Brian Paddock (a Cookeville environmental lawyer) sent comments