Two men who own homes along the Naugatuck River said they decided to take things into their own hands after watching trash float in the water.

The section of the river, at the Naugatuck, Waterbury line was filled with pollutants just months ago, according to Kevin Zak and Bob Schmidt.

Zak and Schmidt each own homes on the hill across from the river.

They said they have found tires, shopping carts, sawed-off shotguns, motorcycles, bicycles and hot water heaters in the river's waters.

"I don't even get mad at the litterers," Zak said. "Most of it -- they're not even aware of it. Most of it, at least the trash that litters the sides are coming from side streets miles away that I believe go into the six tributaries in Waterbury. … What needs to be done is an education where it isn't tolerated and it's not acceptable."

Zak said that about eight months ago, he was looking out his window, and was disturbed by a piece of garbage.

"There was a yellow plastic bag that was just blowing in the tree all winter," he said.

He said that once the weather improved, he set out to get the bag, beginning a massive cleanup of the river.

"I got a little obsessive about it," Zak said.

He said that he began pulling items from the river by hand, but soon realized that he needed help from his electrician neighbor, Schmidt.

"Why I was asked was because I have a lot of heavy equipment," Schmidt said. "I'm able to pull the stuff up, get it all to the top of the hill for the towns to pick up."

Officials from both Waterbury and Naugatuck said that they appreciate the efforts of Zak and Schmidt.

"They're the champions of this cause," said Waterbury Director of Operations Joe Geary. "They get paid nothing and they put in a considerable amount of time. They're down here weekdays, weeknights. They're down here on weekends."

Zak and Schmidt said that while they have cleaned a portion of the river, there is still much that needs to be cleaned.

"If we can get the people, if everybody wants to take a section -- that would be great," Schmidt said.

Margaret Miner of the Rivers Alliance of Connecticut surged people to volunteer their time to the cause.

"People should think of joining them or doing similar things around the state in their own river, because every river -- you see it by the road or the streams you pass -- every river needs a little attention, a little help," she said.

Zak said anyone looking to clean the rivers should check to see if permits are needed and what to do with the waste once it is pulled out.

"I do it with waders and felt boots with studs on the bottom with glasses and gloves," Zak said.

For more information on finding local watersheds, visit Rivers Alliance of Connecticut Web site.

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