The Xstream Cleanup committee formed in September of 2003 due to the great success of that summer’s Duck Creek Cleanup. Chad Pregracke, of Living Lands & Waters, suggested that the group expand its cleanup efforts outside of Davenport and Bettendorf and into the entire Quad City Area. The suggestion was well received and the planning began.

The 2004 event was held on Saturday, August 28th. Over 1,300 volunteers teamed up to clean up 28 sites and removed over 40 tons, or 80,000 pounds, of debris from area waterways. This included 1,300 bags of trash, 270 tires, 50 pieces of furniture, 45 bicycles, 40 railroad ties, 30 appliances, 18 drums, and much more.

The 2004 event was the first cleanup event of its kind in the history of the Quad City Area. Because of the cooperative effort and the great strides made in improving the community environment, the 2004 event was named:
IOWATER Event of the Year, through the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
On the River’s Environmentalists of the Year, through the Quad-City Times
Iowa Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence—Special Recognition in Water Quality

Today the committee includes representatives from Cities of Bettendorf, Davenport, East Moline, LeClaire, Moline, and Rock Island, as well as representatives from several organizations and businesses throughout the Quad Cities.