The Sewickley Creek Watershed Association

What The Sewickley Creek Watershed Association does

The Sewickley Creek Watershed Association (SCWA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1991 in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, dedicated to monitoring and improving water quality across the 168-square-mile Sewickley Creek Watershed in Southwestern Westmoreland County. The organization's core technical offering is a portfolio of passive abandoned mine drainage (AMD) treatment systems located at Lowber, Brinkerton, Wilson Run, and Andrews Run, which use aeration ponds, constructed wetlands, and air-shaft oxidation to precipitate iron oxide from historic coal mine discharges. Documented outcomes include iron reductions from 70 ppm to 1 ppm at Lowber and approximately 80% removal at Brinkerton, restoring aquatic habitat where trout have been restocked and fish species counts have rebounded.

SCWA's business model combines recurring member dues across five tiers ($10 student to $500 steward), tax-deductible donations processed via PayPal, modest event fees (e.g., $5 paddle registrations), and project-based government grants led by PA DEP Growing Greener funds and BHE GT&S Watershed Mini Grants administered through the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. The association operates as a community-led organization with a Board of Directors, an Executive Director, and a network of institutional partners including Hedin Environmental (technical), Westmoreland Conservation District (monitoring), Garrett College (electrofishing research), and the West Newton Sportsmen's Association (trout stocking). Beyond water treatment, SCWA delivers canoe and kayak launches, the Lewis Stout Memorial Trail, historical preservation of the Hester Coke Works beehive ovens, environmental education for local school districts, and community events such as the annual Cruise for Conservation and Lowber Family Field Day.

Name

The Sewickley Creek Watershed Association

Legal name

Sewickley Creek Watershed Association

Website

https://sewickleycreek.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Sewickley Creek Watershed Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that designs and operates passive abandoned mine drainage treatment systems across a 168-square-mile watershed in Southwestern Pennsylvania, serving local communities through water quality restoration, recreational programming, and environmental education.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Services / Watershed Conservation

NAICS

Remediation Services (562910), Remediation and Other Waste Management Services (5629)

akta.pro primary industry

Mining & Heavy Metals Remediation (Acid Mine Drainage, tailings-impacted sites) (BPALAKAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mine Reclamation & Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) Remediation (EUAIALAJ), Coal Mine Closure, Reclamation & Remediation (IMAKAIAN)

Keywords

• Watershed conservation
• Mine drainage remediation
• Water quality monitoring
• Passive treatment systems
• Environmental restoration

Headquarters

HQ city

Greensburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership contributions at tiered levels ranging from $10 for students to $500 for stewards. Members receive newsletter delivery and participate in organizational activities.
2. Donations: Tax-deductible charitable donations from individuals and organizations supporting water quality improvement and environmental conservation efforts.
3. Event Fees: Registration fees for recreational events such as paddle events ($5.00 per participant) and the Annual Cruise for Conservation.
4. Government Grants: Funding from government sources including PA DEP Growing Greener funds, BHE GT&S Watershed Mini Grants administered through Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, and other environmental grants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Sewickley Creek Watershed Association operates and maintains passive Abandoned Mine Drainage (AMD) treatment systems at four sites (Lowber, Brinkerton, Wilson Run, Andrews Run) using aeration ponds, constructed wetlands, and air shaft oxidation to remove iron oxide and pollutants from historic coal mine discharges. It also provides water quality monitoring, recreational infrastructure (canoe/kayak launches, Lewis Stout Memorial Trail), trout stocking, environmental education, and historical preservation of the Hester Coke Works beehive ovens.

Product overview

The Sewickley Creek Watershed Association operates as a nonprofit environmental organization offering a portfolio of water quality improvement and recreational services centered on the 168 square mile Sewickley Creek Watershed in Southwestern Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. The core offering consists of Abandoned Mine Drainage (AMD) Treatment Systems—passive wetland treatment sites at Lowber, Brinkerton, Wilson Run, and Andrews Run that use ponds, wetlands, and aeration systems to remove iron oxide and pollutants from historical coal mine discharges. These treatment systems have improved water quality sufficiently to enable complementary recreational services including canoe and kayak launches, fishing access, and the Lewis Stout Memorial Trail at Lowber. The association also provides historical preservation (Hester Coke Works beehive ovens at Brinkerton), community engagement (Cruise for Conservation events, Lowber Family Field Day), environmental education, water quality monitoring, and trout stocking programs in partnership with West Newton Sportsmen's Association. Funding comes through memberships and tax-deductible donations processed via PayPal.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Abandoned Mine Drainage (AMD) Treatment Systems Passive wetland treatment systems designed to treat polluted discharges from abandoned coal mines. The association maintains multiple treatment sites (Lowber, Brinkerton, Wilson Run, and Andrews Run) that use ponds, wetlands, and aeration systems to remove iron oxide and other pollutants from mine drainage before it enters waterways.
• Canoe and Kayak Launches The association builds and maintains canoe and kayak launches along the Sewickley Creek to create recreational opportunities on improved waterways for paddlers and outdoor enthusiasts.
• Trout Stocking Program Partnership with West Newton Sportsmen's Association to stock trout in the Sewickley Creek, made possible by improved water quality from AMD treatment efforts, supporting recreational fishing in the watershed.
• Lowber Environmental Education and Recreation Site The former Marchand Mine site now serves as an environmental education center, walking trail (Lewis Stout Memorial Trail), wildlife viewing area, geo-caching site, boat launch, and pavilion open to the public.
• Coke Oven Historical Preservation Preservation of 50 beehive coke ovens at the Brinkerton site, remnants of the Hester Coke Works (1900-1913), maintained as part of preserving the industrial heritage of the watershed.
• Water Quality Monitoring Regular monitoring and sampling of water quality throughout the 168 square mile watershed to identify pollution sources and measure the effectiveness of AMD treatment systems, conducted in partnership with the Westmoreland Conservation District and educational institutions.
• Annual Events (Cruise for Conservation and Lowber Family Field Day) Community engagement events including the annual Cruise for Conservation car show and the Lowber Family Field Day that teaches children about mine drainage and environmental restoration through nature stations and water safety demonstrations.
• Tree Planting Program Environmental restoration program involving tree planting activities to improve watershed health, prevent erosion, and enhance riparian habitat throughout the Sewickley Creek Watershed.
• Membership Program Tiered annual membership program with five levels (Student $10, Individual $20, Family $30, Patron $100, Steward $500) providing newsletter delivery and access to organizational activities; payment accepted via PayPal or check.

Quantifiable outcome

• Iron oxide levels reduced from 70 ppm to 1 ppm at Lowber treatment facility
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Western Pennsylvania ConservancycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 31 January 2024Administers BHE GT&S Watershed Mini Grant funding for SCWA projects. Provides grant administration and oversight for watershed improvement initiatives.
• Hedin EnvironmentalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental consulting firm that worked with SCWA on AMD treatment system design and construction. Partnered on Andrews Run, Lowber, and Wilson Run remediation projects. Provided technical expertise in passive treatment system design.
• Westmoreland Conservation DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment agency that collaborates with SCWA on water quality projects, electrofishing surveys, and conservation programs. Joint partner on multiple AMD treatment initiatives and stream restoration efforts.
• West Newton Sportsmen's AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecreational fishing organization that partners with SCWA to stock trout in the Sewickley Creek. Collaboration enables fishing opportunities in previously polluted waterways.
• Iron Oxide Recovery, Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with SCWA and Hedin Environmental on the Lowber passive treatment system. Company involved in salvage of iron oxide removed from water as raw material pigment for paints, dyes, and stains.
• Garrett CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational institution whose faculty and students participate in electrofishing surveys at the Brinkerton AMD site, providing research support and educational opportunities.
• Compass Inn Museum of LaughlintownminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistorical museum that loaned an 1880s era Studebaker wagon for the 5th Annual Cruise for Conservation event.
• Local School DistrictsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner with SCWA during Lowber Family Field Day to teach children about mine drainage and restoration through environmental and nature stations.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Youghiogheny River Trail Council: Southwestern Pennsylvania nonprofit focused on trail development and recreational use along the Youghiogheny River corridor. Comparable to SCWA in community-led outdoor recreation programming and PA regional footprint, though with less emphasis on water treatment.

Broad incumbents

• Trout Unlimited: National coldwater conservation nonprofit focused on trout and salmon habitat. Partners with SCWA through the West Newton Sportsmen's Association for trout stocking in Sewickley Creek. Overlap in coldwater fishery restoration and water quality advocacy, though TU operates at a national scale rather than a single-watershed focus.
• Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission: Interstate compact agency coordinating water quality and pollution control across the Ohio River basin. Operates at a much larger regulatory scale than SCWA, but addresses overlapping water quality issues, including AMD loading into tributaries that drain into the Ohio.
• Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds: Pennsylvania-focused funding and capacity-building organization for local watershed groups. Adjacent to SCWA in mission and geography, providing grants and technical support to many of the same small watershed associations, including those doing AMD work.
• Western Pennsylvania Conservancy: Large regional land and water conservation nonprofit that administers the BHE GT&S Watershed Mini Grant funding SCWA receives. Overlaps with SCWA in watershed protection mission and PA-based conservation work, but operates at a much larger scale across land acquisition, natural diversity, and water programs.

Direct peers

• Cumberland River Compact: Middle Tennessee-based nonprofit dedicated to improving water quality in the Cumberland River watershed through community engagement, monitoring, and on-the-ground restoration projects. Comparable to SCWA in mission, scale, and reliance on grants, members, and volunteer labor.
• Loyalhanna Watershed Association: Pennsylvania watershed nonprofit addressing water quality in the Loyalhanna Creek watershed, including AMD impacts from historic coal mining. Comparable to SCWA in mission, geographic context, and treatment approach in western Pennsylvania.
• Cacapon Institute: West Virginia-based nonprofit focused on water quality monitoring and watershed protection in the Cacapon River watershed. Comparable in operating model — small staff, volunteer-driven, passive and active water quality programs — though serving a different geographic region.
• Kiski Valley Watershed Association: Southwestern Pennsylvania watershed association covering the Kiski River basin. Directly comparable to SCWA as a small, community-led nonprofit focused on water quality monitoring, AMD remediation, and recreational access in an adjacent PA watershed.
• Mountain Watershed Association: Pennsylvania-based nonprofit focused on abandoned mine drainage remediation and water quality improvement in the Youghiogheny River watershed. Closest functional peer to SCWA: operates passive and active AMD treatment systems, partners with PA DEP, and engages in community-led watershed conservation in the same southwestern Pennsylvania region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Sewickley-Creek-Watershed-Association-110225520515229

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Sewickley Creek Watershed Association