Our Association was established in 2007 as a volunteer neighborhood association. Our focus is the health of all the water in our watershed – groundwater we pump and use in our homes, as well as the water in ponds and streams we enjoy for recreation, or that is used by animals and wildlife in our neighborhood. 

• We sample and analyze pond water, which establishes a long-term record of the quality of this vital resource.
• We educate residents about the crucial role they play in using water responsibly and preventing its pollution.
• We sample storm water runoff.  
• We study water flow in and out of our ponds.
• We promote boating safety.
• We sponsor a number of membership meetings per year in which we report on our work and discuss topics of general interest, e.g. area history, local bird life, herring migration, storm water runoff mitigation. 
• We publish a newsletter a few times a year.

We elect officers and an executive committee that sets policies. In addition, we have working subcommittees. All our activities are based on the work of volunteers; they are supported by dues, private contributions, grants, and collaborations with other organizations, the town, county and state. 

We welcome new members to join us; bring ideas and concerns; and share in our efforts. Membership is open to anyone interested. Registration for membership and to receive email updates is available on this site.

This year, the first General Meeting of the HPWA will be held in May 2012. Details will be announced shortly. (Jan'12)

Good news: For many years our association has flagged stormwater runoff - and the pond pollution it causes  -  in the Pond Rd./Shore Rd. area of Great Herring Pond. The Town of Plymouth recently completed an engineering study to mitigate this problem.  Funds for this study came from Coastal Zone Management (CZM), a State agency, and the Town.  The next step is raising additional money to proceed with the actual mitigation work.  The Town is applying for a grant from CZM for this purpose, and hopes to complete this project next summer. (Jan'12)

More good news: The EPA has just announced new regulations called Mercury and Air Toxics Standards. They are meant to slash power plant emissions of mercury, arsenic, acid gas, nickel, selenium, and cyanide. These new rules are to be phased in over the next four years. What does this have to do with us?  Prevailing winds make New England the recipient of much of the pollution emitted by Midwestern power plants, which tends to fall in our area.  Because of this, our State warns residents not to consume lake and stream fish, including those from Great Herring Pond, more than once a week, and not at all for pregnant women and children.  The reason is excessive mercury content originating from the emissions of those plants. The reduction of mercury and other airborne pollutants by the new regulations is expected to have very beneficial health effects for everyone living in New England. (Jan'12)

Long term equipmenrt loan for HPWA:
We just received a long term  loan from the EPA of three new instruments,  valued at a total of $1000: a precision GPS, to accurately define the locations of our sampling sites, a pH probe, to measure the acidity of our water samples, and a special water retrieval device to obtain water samples from near bottom locations in our ponds. They will be used in our pond water sampling program. (Jan'12)