On Monday, October 19th, Tapping Our Watershed presents “Plastic Trash in Our Rivers – What is the impact? What can be done about it?” with Alan Robinson and Kelly O’Day, hydrologist, environmental engineer, and environmental consulting experts on the River Litter Management Task Force.

Tapping Our Watershed is held on the third Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at National Mechanics in Philadelphia’s Old City.

Plastics in the Schuylkill River are an aesthetic pollutant in the form of macroscale bottles, styrofoam and other large objects and are increasingly being recognized as a threat to ecosystems. A measure of the problem: a Philadelphia team collected 4,600 plastic bottles in 1.5 hours. A summary of current research on ecologic and other impacts posed by macro and micro plastics will be given using current data. The technical presentation will be followed by a presentation on the startup of the Task Force with a general discussion and collective brainstorming as to how this flegling program might grow and produce results.

Alan Robinson is a geologist/hydrologist with over 35 years of environmental consulting experience in the areas of water resources, stormwater and floodplain management, soil and groundwater investigation/remediation and environmental impact assessment. He is a rower and chair of the Schuylkill Navy of Philadelphia's River Stewardship Committee.

Kelly O’Day worked as a professional engineer for 40 years in all phases of water quality, water supply and wastewater disposal in Philadelphia and Boston metropolitan areas. O’Day is currently a retired professional engineer (PE) in Pennsylvania. As a proud E Mt Airy resident, O’Day believes in thinking globally and acting locally.

The event is free and open to the public. More information can be found on our Meetup page. Food and drink will be available for purchase at the bar. All ages are welcome, but you must be 21 to drink.

We hope you can join us for a fun and informal evening of scientific discussion!