Free Open Days: Thursday 8/21 - Saturday 8/23

2025 Summer Gala THANK YOU for a Magical Evening!

With blue skies, a gentle breeze, and more than 500 smiling guests, our 2025 Summer Gala was a picture-perfect evening. This year’s celebration honored the remarkable contributions of Tom Schmitt, retired WRWA Board President, whose leadership was instrumental in the renovation of the River Center.

The night sparkled with delicious cuisine by The Westporter, a stunning water view, open bar, silent auction, and the jazzy sounds of Joe Mulholland and his band.

We are deeply grateful to Pam and Bob Beck for opening their beautiful Rockbridge Farm in Little Compton to us, and to Mark Luttmann and Cindy Wilson, our dedicated Gala co-chairs and board members, for their exceptional planning and leadership.

A heartfelt thank you also goes out to over 50 amazing volunteers, our Board of Directors, and the six staff members who poured their time and energy into making this event a true success.

We hope you will join us for the 2026 Summer Gala. It will be a celebration like no other, as we honor WRWA’s 50th Anniversary at the stunning Charlton Estate!

Thank you for joining us in celebrating, supporting, and protecting our watershed community. We couldn’t do it without you!

Help Choose the Winners for Our 2026 WRWA Calendar

We had many excellent photos entered for the 2026 Photo Calendar contest. As in past years, we are giving our members and friends the opportunity to select the winning photos.

You can view the video on our website of all submitted photos and then email us your 10 favorites. Just record the numbers associated with the images you think should win. As the video plays, you can pause, rewind or fast forward your way through the beautiful images. Deadline for submitting your choices is September 20.

Put the subject - WINNERS in your email and send your choices to water@wrwa.com

Westport Barrier Beach Planning Initiative

Fall Electronics Recycling will be on Wednesday September 17th

Electronics Recycling with Indie Cycle

Wednesday September 17th, from 9am to 11am

Town Hall, 816 Main Road in Westport

ITEMS ACCEPTED AT NO CHARGE: Computers, laptops, PDA's, cell phones, computer mouse, keyboards, toner cartridges, CD/DVD players, radios, network equipment, wires, stereos, speakers, telephones, microwaves, small household appliances, routers, discs, and auto and marine batteries. Anything with a wire!

A $10 DISPOSAL FEE APPLIES: for all TVs & monitors, some printers (laser jet), small speakers.

A $20 DISPOSAL FEE APPLIES: mini-fridges or freezers (max 4.5 cubic feet), air conditioners, dehumidifiers, water coolers, and other coolant containing appliances.

NOT ACCEPTED: cardboard, light bulbs, smoke detectors, glass, furniture, plastic bags, Styrofoam or any hazardous materials such as paint, rechargeable and single use batteries, and broken TV tubes.

This event is open to residents of all neighboring towns, not just for those who live in Westport. For more information on this recycling event, or to volunteer to help out that morning, contact WRWA at outreach@wrwa.com or call 508-636-3016.

The Scratchy Side of Summer

What’s Causing That Itchy Rash? A Look at Swimmer’s Itch in the Westport River

By Roberta Carvalho, Science Director

If you’ve ever enjoyed a summer swim in the Westport River and later noticed an itchy, bumpy rash, you’re not alone. This unpleasant skin reaction could be what's commonly known as swimmer’s itch, and it’s caused by tiny parasitic flatworms called cercariae, which are the larval stage of a class of parasites known as flukes.

These microscopic organisms have a complicated life cycle that depends on a series of hosts to survive and reproduce—including snails and waterfowl such as ducks and geese. Infected birds excrete the parasite’s eggs into the water via their droppings. Once hatched, the larvae seek out a specific species of aquatic snail, where they develop further before being released back into the water.

In their final stage, these free-swimming larvae mistakenly try to burrow into human skin, thinking we’re their intended bird hosts. Humans are a dead-end for the parasite, so it dies quickly, but not before triggering an allergic reaction that leads to the classic symptoms of swimmer’s itch: itchy red bumps or blisters, often appearing shortly after swimming.

Some people seem to be more sensitive to the parasite than others. Factors like skin chemistry, immune response, and frequency of exposure may explain why one swimmer gets covered in itchy spots while another walks away without a scratch.

Swimmer’s itch is not contagious, and symptoms usually resolve within a few days to a week. While not dangerous, it can be uncomfortable. To reduce your risk:

• Rinse off and towel dry immediately after swimming.
• Avoid areas with heavy waterfowl populations or dense vegetation where snails may be abundant.
• Wear swimwear that covers more skin to reduce exposure.

As water temperatures warm and nutrient levels shift, the parasite can become more active, so outbreaks tend to be more common in mid- to late-summer. WRWA continues to monitor the health of the Westport River, and while swimmer’s itch isn’t harmful to the ecosystem, it’s a reminder of how closely tied our health is to the natural environment.

If you have experienced swimmer’s itch in the river, let us know—it helps us track patterns and understand the local ecology of this summer nuisance. If you would like to view our water quality monitoring results, visit our website: https://www.westportwatershed.org/river-monitoring

Support the Watershed—Enjoy a Fresh Oyster Flight!

Support the River You Love

Thank You to Our 2025 Business Sponsors