Crews were organized through each of the four towns — Canton, Clyde, Maggie Valley and Waynesville — and by the Pigeon River Outfitters in Canton. Assistance from Waynesville, Clyde, Commission for a Clean County and the Tennessee Valley Authority helped fund the effort. 

“This was the first year Big Sweep occurred in all four towns,” said Adopt-A-Stream Coordinator Christine O’Brien. “It was great to see the community come together to protect our water which supports activities like fishing, swimming and our enjoyment of the outdoors.” 

The trash bags filled up with common items like plastic bottles and Styrofoam but also included larger items like car parts and agricultural equipment. Stormwater runoff is the number one cause of polluted water in Haywood County, with water picking up trash, fertilizers, chemicals and other waste as it flows toward storm drains. Securing and properly disposing of trash, picking up after pets and tuning cars to reduce leaks goes a long way toward combating pollution.