Cape Fear River Watch using ‘Litter Gitter’ to clean up area waterways

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The Cape Fear River Watch is using a unique device to clean up one of the most polluted creeks in New Hanover County and its looking for more funding and sponsorships to get more of them.

The environmental conservation organization posted pictures of the ‘Litter Gitter” on Facebook on Tuesday saying “The Litter Gitter is 100% GITTING that litter.”

Water Quality Programs manager Rob Clark built a couple of the devices himself and said they are working really well. Clark said the this ‘little gitter’ seen in the photo was installed at McCumbers Branch near Burnt Mill creek about a month ago.

This photo was taken March 3, 2024 after the heavy rain the area had on March 2 only five days after last maintenance date on February 28. That’s when they we collected 269 pieces of litter. On March 3, the device collected 567 pieces of litter.

Trash from Litter Gitter on March 3, 2024 (Photo: Cape Fear River Watch)

The device collected:

Clark said Burnt Mill Creek is one of the most polluted waterways in New Hanover County. This ‘litter gitter’ is part of a restoration project for that area. The project includes litter collection, litter removal, bacteria testing, tree planting and more.

Clark said they have three total ‘little gitters’ that trap floating trash. This one is in Wilmington and the other two are in Leland. He said they also have 14 devices installed in curbside inlets.

Clark said they are hoping to expand and get more of these devices. They are looking for funding or sponsorships from businesses. He said if a business sponsors a device, Cape Fear River Watch can install it and share the data with the public.