Forever Chemicals in Connecticut's Coastal Waters: A Community Conversation on Pollution and Climate Change

Event Details

Dive into an essential community conversation with longtime marine environment specialist and water quality researcher Dick Harris, who will present the real-world impacts of climate change and pollution on Connecticut’s coastal waters. Harris will explore his extensive work studying local water systems and share findings from his latest research on PFAS (“forever chemicals”) contamination in key waterways including the Saugatuck River, Deadman’s Brook, and Muddy Brook — work made possible through support from the Westport Shellfish Commission.

This event is presented in partnership with Sustainable Westport. 

Why You Should Come

Our coastal waters are more than scenic vistas—they support recreation, wildlife, and local industries like shellfishing. Rising water temperatures, shifting weather patterns, and pollution all interact to alter the health of these ecosystems. Understanding how climate change affects water quality and how emerging contaminants like PFAS move through our local rivers and into Long Island Sound helps residents and policymakers make informed choices to protect public health and the environment. Elevated PFAS levels in tributaries could affect fish, shellfish, drinking water sources, and the broader estuary health for years to come.

This event is for: 

• Residents and families who care about the health of Westport’s beaches, rivers, and estuaries
• Environmental stewards and climate advocates interested in current science on water quality
• Students and educators in science, environmental studies, or public health
• Community leaders and decision-makers looking to better understand climate impacts on local natural resources

About the Speaker

Dick Harris is a seasoned marine environment specialist and water quality expert with decades of experience monitoring and researching coastal waters in Western Long Island Sound and its tributaries. He founded the Harbor Watch water quality monitoring program, which became one of the region’s leading citizen-science water monitoring efforts, engaging volunteers and interns to collect and analyze samples across Fairfield County.

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