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.

The latest Newsletter is out (Winter 2012).

This year, the first General Meeting of the HPWA will be held on May 21st, 2012. Details will be announced shortly. (Jan'12)

Finally: The Town of Plymouth has just become the recipient of a construction grant to mitigate  stormwater pollution in the Pond Rd./Shore Rd. area of Great Herring Pond. This announcement came from Coastal Zone Management, a State agency. The award  money is $104k. It will be matched by an additional $97k from the Town. Construction is expected to start in March and will consist of a variety of systems, separators, bio-retention areas, and a rain garden. We are absolutely thrilled that this problem is about to be resolved. Our association has been flagging the runoff in this area for years and measured the pond pollution it causes. More details  about the work about to start can be found in an Old Colony Memorial article dated  2/15/2012.

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 high mercury content, the Mass. Department of Environmental Protection cautions residents not to consume lake and stream fish, including those from Great Herring Pond, more than once a week. The reduction of mercury and the 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 equipment 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)