What is MAWA?
The Murrysville Area Watershed Association (MAWA) is a team of dedicated environmental and business professionals committed to creating a positive impact on our environment and community.
What WE DO?
Through continuous water quality monitoring, collaborative efforts with property owners, and strategic programs to establish riparian buffers, MAWA mitigates environmental impact and promotes informed community engagement.
MAWA Strategic Plan: Legacy 2030
Explore MAWA’s bold vision for restoring Southwestern PA’s waterways. The 2025 Strategic Plan outlines key goals in acid mine drainage remediation, community stewardship, and long-term sustainability. See how this grassroots effort is building a cleaner, healthier future.
STay Informed
Stay up to date on everything happening here at MAWA — check out our announcements, news, and more on the News Page!
23 Acres Preserved Along Westmoreland Heritage Trail
Local officials gathered August 6 to celebrate the Westmoreland Land Trust's permanent protection of 23 forested acres along Turtle Creek gorge, running from B-Y Park in Trafford to the Westmoreland Heritage Trail's junction with Saunders Station Road in Monroeville. Acquired for $12,000 via a county tax auction, the land is designated Core Habitat by the state. Officials attending included Leanna Bird, Ted Kopas, Rich Fitzgerald, and Stan Rudge.
Murrysville groups tackle acid mine drainage polluting Turtle Creek and Lyons Run. The Murrysville Area Watershed Association's limestone-pond system, run by Melissa Church, raised pH from 2.4 to 6.8. Slippery Rock University's Gianna Kraus studies metal-resistant bacteria. A future $5–10 million active treatment plant is planned near Export. Learn more...
Westmoreland Land Trust Buys 23 Acres, Expands Habitat
The Westmoreland Land Trust permanently protected 23 forested acres along Turtle Creek gorge, running from B-Y Park in Trafford to the Westmoreland Heritage Trail's junction with Saunders Station Road in Monroeville. Bought for $12,000 at a tax auction, the state-designated Core Habitat land expands the trust's holdings past 740 acres.
Murrysville residents tackling acid-mine drainage problem from multiple angles
Fall Newsletter
MAWA's Spring 2026 newsletter highlights the fully operational Lyons Run acid mine drainage treatment system, a new stewardship monitoring program, Executive Director Melissa Church, a $2.1M state grant for an upcoming mine drainage plant near Export, and a July 15 Tap Talk event. Learn more...
Goals
Water Quality
Establish the current water quality of the major streams in the Murrysville area and develop a program of continuous monitoring to determine the impact of future improvements to the streams.
Water Quality
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Inform
Inform and educate the public of the goals of the Murrysville Area Watershed Association.
Inform
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Relationships
Establish a process to work with property owners to secure property access to further the goals of the organization to monitor and improve the quality of water in the targeted watersheds.
Relationships
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Invest
Develop assets to further the improvement of the quality of water in the Murrysville Area Watersheds by constructing active and passive acid mine remediation facilities to improve the water quality of streams.
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Mitigate
Develop programs to establish riparian buffers and reduce the impact of various land uses on the quality of streams within the watersheds.
Mitigate
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Promote & Preserve
Promote trail connectivity throughout the Municipality of Murrysville and to recognize historically significant sites identified through these efforts.