Our Mission
Community Clean Water Institute (CCWI) protects water resources and public health,
identifies pollution sources, and works to prevent water pollution throughout Northern California.
CCWI collects and analyzes water quality data, conducts research, participates in education and
community outreach activities, and shares information with government regulatory
agencies and the public.
Community Clean Water Institute has developed a water quality testing program and
laboratory to test ground, surface, and drinking water sources for a variety
of pollutants and makes all of the findings available to the public.
CCWI works with grassroots watershed groups
and other non-profit organizations to address issues of clean water and
public health. When an individual reports suspected pollution, CCWI investigates and conducts
initial analysis and then decides whether or not the area needs to be regularly tested.
CCWI evolved from the Water Committee of the Town Hall Coalition, a group of citizens
concerned with water quality, and interested in increasing the amount
of scientific data on water quality of rivers, streams, and groundwater.
The Water Committee collected water quality data and performed water tests
from 1998-2000. In March of 2001, CCWI was founded as a separate
501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Community Clean Water Institute focuses on the rivers and counties within the North
Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (Region 1). The Institute focuses on water
quality and possible contamination of surface or ground water in Sonoma County, but also surveys
Marin, Mendocino, Humboldt, Del Norte, Trinity, Siskiyou, Glenn,
Modoc, and Lake Counties. The organization works to protect water quality
in the watersheds of the Eel, Russian, Van Duzen, Trinity, Mad, Smith, Klamath, Gualala,
Navarro, Albion, Noyo, and Mattole Rivers and the other magnificent rivers, bays,
and wetlands in Northern California.
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Board of Directors
Nels Worden, President
Nels retired from the Sonoma State University Chemistry Department where he was responsible
for preparation of reagents and laboratory set up for the department's 500 students.
Nels has previously worked as staff chemist
at K Prime, Inc., Legend Analytical Services, and NET Santa Rosa. At NET
Pacific, Inc. (ANATEC), he was Quality Assurance Coordinator. Nels holds
a Laboratory Analyst, Grade II certification. He was a founding member
of the Town Hall Coalition Water Committee, and has been a technical advisor
for CCWI since 2001. Nels is a third-generation Sonoma County resident on
both sides of his family. He grew up in and around the Russian
River in Healdsburg. "It is my personal objective to seek the best
practices to quantify natural water systems to provide relevant information
for planning the future course of the incredible natural resources we are blessed
with in Northern California."
Don Frank, Treasurer
Don serves on the Board of Directors for Forest Unlimited and was president
of the Dry Creek Valley Association, an organization dedicated to the
preservation of agricultural land. He is owner of TDC Mobil, a mechanic
repair company.
Sarah Shaeffer, Secretary
Sarah is a former director of CCWI. She developed CCWI's volunteer water quality
monitoring program including QA/QC and testing protocols and a comprehensive
data information system. Sarah has a Master's Degree in Global Environmental
Public Health from Emory University and a degree in Environmental Science
and Anthropology from Tulane University. Her graduate work included water
and sanitation, pesticide exposure assessment and agroforestry in Micronesia.
Before joining CCWI she worked with the Americorps Water Stewards Project,
based in the Southern Sonoma and Marin Resource Conservation Districts.
Sarah is currently working with the Sonoma County Asthma Coalition.
Mike Donahue
A technologist and manager, Mike has worked in the defense, computer,
and networking industries. He holds degrees in business, engineering,
and biology and has lately specialized in geographic information systems (GIS)
and web programming. A former chairman of the Scituate (Massachusetts)
Planning Board and Coastal Zone Management Commission, Mike has long
been interested and involved in the effect of human economic development
on natural systems, in particular habitats that include water bodies and
waterways. He is also a past president of the Santa Rosa Junior Hockey
Club and is currently Director of Member Services and a member of the
Board of Directors for the California Amateur Hockey Association.
Kandis Gilmore
Born and raised in Southern California, Kandis moved to Sonoma County in 2007 to
complete her bachelor's degree in Biology at Sonoma State University. She is interested in
learning and teaching about the natural world and using science to inform environmental
decision-making processes. After serving as an intern at CCWI and then as Program Assistant,
she returned to SSU to pursue her master's degree in Biology studying the reproductive and
pollination ecology of endangered vernal pool plants. In her spare time, Kandis likes to cook,
go for hikes, dance, and browse around farmers' markets.
Lynn Hamilton
Lynn Hamilton, an international non-profit management consultant is Executive Director
and co-founder of the Town Hall Coalition. She is the Chair of the Progressive Democrats of
Sonoma County. She is also a member of the Executive Board of the California
Democratic Party and a former Director of Ashoka, Innovators for the Public for the Andean
Region. Lynn was Mayor of the City of Sebastopol, Sonoma County, California. She holds a masters degree
in public administration from Harvard University Kennedy School of Government.
Maggy Howe
Maggy is president of MHowe, her own strategic and cause marketing company. She has over 20 years
experience in visionary promotion: matching nonprofit organizations with for profit corporations and
creating marketing and public relations strategies, philanthropic giving programs, sweat equity programs,
fundraisers, signature events, and benefit galas. Maggy lives with her son Zane in western Sonoma County
where she enjoys organic gardening, poetry, and tennis.
Jim Lowrie
Jim directs CCWI's water testing program. He trains volunteers in the field,
coordinates the field monitoring schedules, and perfoms the laboratory testing.
Robert Pennington
Robert is a professional geologist with interests in water quality and geomorphology.
Robert was the program coordinator for CCWI in 2007 and 2008 and currently works for a small
environmental consulting firm in Healdsburg, O'Connor Environmental Inc. Robert received his
bachelor of science in geology and geophysics from the University of California Santa Barbara.
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