this is a look at what they use to >> reporter: when christopher jones isn't teaching reporters out to operate his boat, he's out picking up trash. he's been working for d.c. water for about eight years. jones is the captain of one of two new skimmer boats along the southwest waterfront. >> we pick up bottles and a lot of wood, just about anything. you may run into anything out here. >> reporter: d.c. water general manager george hawkins says removing all the trash from the rivers is important for the environment. >> it's about 40 to 50 tons of debris a month. 300 to 500 tons at least a year. think about it, that's all in the river. and we are removing it all and getting it out so the river is cleaner for everybody who enjoys it. >> reporter: for brian meyer, removing the debris is also important for boater safety. >> it's greatly important because a lot of times you can't see what is in the water. so you can paddle right into it and not know and just fall off. so getting the large debris is very important. >> reporter: tommy wells oversees the d.c. department of energy and environment

. >> reporter: when christopher jones isn't teaching how to operate his boat, he's out picking up trash. he's been working for d.c. water for about eight years. jones is the captain of two new skimmer boats along the southwest waterfront. >> we pick up of wood, a lot of wood and just about anything. you may run into anything out here. >> reporter: d.c. water general manager george hawkins says removing the trash from the anascostia river is a lot. >> 350 tons a year. we're removing it all and getting it out so the river is cleaning for everybody who enjoys it. >> reporter: for brian meyer opening up a ckayak business, this is great for boater safety. >> a lot of times you can't see what is in the water. you can paddle into it and fall off. so getting the large debris is very important. >> reporter: tommy wells oversees the d.c. department of energy and environment. he wants more people to start enjoying the rivers. and what they have to offer. especially one aspect of the rivers. >> the catfish, in particular, are getting cleaner. and if by all means, take it home, filet it and put it o

. >> reporter: when christopher jones isn't teaching reporters how to operate his boat, he's out picking he's been working for d.c. water for about eight years. jones is the captain of one of two new steamer boats unveiled today along the southwest waterfront. >> we pick up bottles and a lot of wood. just about anything. >> reporter: d.c. water general manager said removing the trash is important for the environment. >> it's about 40 to 50 tons of debris a month. 3 to 500 tons at least a year. think about it, that's all in the river and we're removing it all and getting it out so the river's cleaner for everybody to enjoy it. >> reporter: for brian mire who is opening up a kayback rental business, removing the degree is important for safety. >> very important, because a lot of times you can't see what is in the water, so you paddle into it and not even know and fall off. so getting the large debut is very important. >> reporter: tommy wells oversees the d.c. department of energy and environment, he wants more people to start enjoying the river and what they have to offer. especially, one