Aired on Oct. 5, 2025

• Water Quality, Water Safety, Public Advocacy

Do we send spacecraft to other planets looking for money? No. Scientists search for water because water is fundamental to sustain life. But for the last 100 years, our rivers have been treated like sewage ditches. This has to stop. Rivers are homes to all kinds of wildlife, a recreation source, and the Haw River is where Pittsboro’s drinking water originates. The Haw River Assembly (“HRA”) has advocated and worked for a healthy Haw River for almost 45 years. The HRA helps guide citizens wishing to represent their views in the case of public hearings like the one ahead. Listen in and meet our guest:

Emily Sutton is the Executive Director of Haw River Assembly (“HRA”), as well as being the Haw Riverkeeper. She joined the staff of Haw River Assembly in 2016, managing citizen science projects to watchdog against sediment pollution and monitor the tributaries and main stem of the Haw River. She has been Haw Riverkeeper since 2018, leading the fight for HRA against pollution in the Haw River on many fronts, including emerging contaminants, Jordan Lake nutrients, and sediment pollution. She is a current member of the NC Sedimentation Control Commission. Emily grew up paddling rivers in the Midwest, and moved to North Carolina to received her B.A at Appalachian State University in Sustainable Development, where she studied Agroecology, Watershed Ecology, and Outdoor Education.

“On The Porch” is hosted by Randolph ”Randy” Voller. He is also the publisher of Chatham County Line. Randy welcomes guests to the show who are from the communities of art, academia, business, and politics for friendly and informative conversations. “On The Porch” airs every Sunday at 11 AM, and is repeated at 4 PM and 8 PM on WCHL-FM 97.9. The show also streams on ChapelBoro.com
Current and previous shows of “On The Porch” are posted as on-demand, ad-free podcasts at ChapelBoro.com, Spotify and Apple Podcasts
To be a guest on the show or send us a comment, email: ontheporch@wchl.com