ECWA champions the creek with policymakers, business owners, local government, and other decision makers, encouraging them to take action to restore and protect our watershed. We advocate for public policies, regulations, and investments aimed at restoring the natural functions of the watershed.

Significant tracks of land in the watershed are owned by the City of Durham and other government agencies.

Protect Publicly-Owned Creekside Lands
The City or County of Durham and the US Army Corps of Engineers own a significant portion of land that is a priority for protection in the watershed. ECWA is working closely with the city and county governments to place conservation easements, conservation zoning, or some other permanent protection on these publicly-owned creekside lands.

Support Green Infrastructure              
As a regional model for the preservation of green space and proactive urban stormwater management, we are asking the City and County of Durham to take action on three important strategies:

1. Review and revise local codes and ordinances, aligning them with Green Infrastructure goals.
2. Remove barriers that make it hard for developers and property owners to do the right thing for our creeks.
3. Create a cost share program that pays eligible landowners up to 90% of the cost of green roofs, rain gardens, or other green infrastructure projects. 

When it is complete, the City of Durham's South Ellerbe Wetland will be both green infrastructure and open space in downtown Durham.

A USGS scientist monitors water temperature in Ellerbe Creek

Monitor Water Quality
Regular high-quality data will help us all know if our efforts are making a difference. ECWA’s Water Management Committee has created a comprehensive plan to monitor and report on water quality in Ellerbe Creek. The City of Durham is an important partner in this effort.

What if we protected 45 acres of streamside lands, built a 7-acre wetland on Trinity Avenue, and worked together to install more than 500 projects like green streets, rainwater harvesting cisterns, bioretention areas, green roofs, permeable parking lots, and Creek Smart yards, in the most urban square mile in Durham?  Could we clean up Ellerbe Creek?  We believe that these combined projects could convert more than 100 million gallons of polluted runoff into a clean water resource for South Ellerbe Creek.

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