Restore and Maintain Clean Water
Objectives
1. Reduce pollution
from wastewater
sources
2. Reduce pollution
from stormwater
sources
Restore and maintain high quality fresh and salt water throughout the
Narragansett Bay Region, and ensure it is available in sustainable
quantity to meet human and ecological needs such as fish and wildlife
habitat, recreation, drinking, irrigation, commerce and industry
PROBLEM STATEMENT: Pollutants from a variety of sources and
alterations of flow are having negative impacts on water resources.
Wastewater discharges from treatment plants, cesspools and on-site
waste treatment systems and stormwater runoff from suburban and
urban landscapes result in bacterial contamination, streambed erosion,
degraded habitat, low dissolved oxygen and nutrient enrichment in the
4. Manage rivers,
rivers and estuary of the NBR. Though partially addressed by the first
streams and lakes to
phase of construction of bedrock-level storage tunnels in the Providence
balance human and
ecological needs
and Fall River areas, combined sewer overflows in Providence,
Worcester, Newport and Fall River discharge untreated wastewater after
5. Improve funding for
rain events, impacting urban rivers and Narragansett Bay. Atmospheric
water quality and
quantity improvement
deposition is a significant source of mercury and also a source of
and for resource
nutrients. Land use patterns and water withdrawals affect stream flow,
assessment/ monitoring
depressing flow during the summer and creating unnaturally high flows
during rainstorms or snowmelt. Loss of infiltration on the landscape
6. Improve
information, analysis
reduces water available for groundwater recharge, affecting drinking
and management
water supply and freshwater flow. Anticipated climate change impacts
practices necessary to
including increased storm intensity, temperature change and sea level
restore and protect
rise will have to be accounted for in management responses to these
fresh and salt waters.
problems. Reducing key pollutants will control and/or reduce the instances of low dissolved oxygen,
improve the sustainability of aquatic life, including eelgrass, and reduce the number of days shellfish beds
and beaches are closed to public use.
3. Reduce pollution
from combined sewer
overflows
Status & Trends Summary
Main pollution impacts: bacterial contamination, low dissolved oxygen, nutrient enrichment
Main pollution sources: wastewater discharges (including combined sewer overflows), stormwater
discharges, and loadings from cesspools and onsite wastewater treatment systems.
Other impacts: thermal impacts from Mt. Hope Bay power plant; atmospheric deposition
Changes in freshwater flow: natural variability of flow affected by water withdrawals with impacts on
river/stream ecosystems and habitat; developed landscapes lead to concentrated stormwater volume and
rates that cause erosion, thermal impacts, flooding and carry pollutants into watercourses.
Management Initiatives Summary
(this section will have more text; under discussion with S. Kiernan)
As primary implementers of the Clean Water Act, Rhode Island and Massachusetts state agencies will work
closely with local governments, NGO s, the public, and federal partners to manage and reduce existing
sources of pollution, avoid creation of new ones, and ensure that our water bodies achieve the highest
possible biological, physical, and chemical integrity.
Indicators to Measure Change
(this section will have more text)
Section describing indicators to be used to measure change in condition for this topic area.
Nitrogen, phosphorus, turbidity, oxygen, biomass, etc. For more information on Narragansett Bay region
indicators, see http://watershedcounts.org/.
Priority Water Actions for Near Term Implementation (drawn from tables below; add timeframes)
1. Issue and implement revised EPA New England permits for nutrient controls at WWTF’s located in
Mass. portion of the Blackstone River and Ten Mile River watersheds
2. Implement nutrient reductions at prioritized WWTF’s via consent agreements and other means
including 2004 R.I. state mandate for 50% reduction in total nitrogen discharges (May to October)
from WWTF’s discharging into Narragansett Bay or its major tributaries
3. In sewered areas, require and implement connections to existing sewer lines
4. Implement the next round of Phase 2 stormwater permits for municipalities and urbanized areas (MS4)
5. Provide technical assistance to municipalities to implement Phase 2 stormwater requirements
starting with a joint RIDEM/MADEP project in the Blackstone River watershed
6. Prioritize installation of BMPs to areas most affected by stormwater impacts, using LID where
feasible
7.
Reduce pathogen contamination at state and municipal beaches to provide additional recreation
opportunities especially for urban populations
8. Manage water withdrawals for scientifically-based sustainable yield that account for land use
projections, impacts on aquatic systems and inter-basin transfers
9. Develop numeric nutrient criteria adequate to protect aquatic ecosystem health for all NBR fresh
and salt surface waters; base water quality management and permitting decisions on criteria
10. Advocate for increased federal SRF and other federal funding for water and wastewater
infrastructure and stormwater
11. Make existing water quality monitoring data accessible to the public and other users through
online portals, maps, and other mechanisms
Restore and Maintain Clean Water
(priority actions bolded)
1. Reduce pollution from wastewater sources
Potential Primary
Implementing Parties
1.1.
Issue and implement revised EPA New England permits for nutrient controls at
WWTF’s located in Mass. portion of the Blackstone River and Ten Mile River
watersheds
U.S EPA, MADEP,
WWTFs
1.2.
Implement nutrient reductions at prioritized WWTF’s via consent agreements and
other means including 2004 R.I. state mandate for 50% reduction in total nitrogen
discharges (May to October) from WWTF’s discharging into Narragansett Bay or its
major tributaries
RIDEM, MADEP,
WWTFs
1.3
In sewered areas, require connections to existing sewer lines
RIDEM, MADEP,
WWTFs,
municipalities
1.4
1.5.
A. Adopt a more aggressive approach for cesspool phase-out than current OWTS
management and regulatory practices allow. B. Adopt added measures where needed to
further eliminate and/or mitigate risks posed by cesspools.
Evaluate and ensure performance of residential and commercial Onsite Waste Treatment
Systems (OWTS) through wastewater management plans that include education, inspection,
prioritized areas, financial assistance programs and provision of adequate maintenance for
advanced treatment systems.
R.I. General
Assembly, RIDEM
RIDEM, RICRMC,
WWTFs, RICWFA,
MADEP, MA local
boards of health
2. Reduce pollution from stormwater sources
2.1
Implement the next round of Phase 2 stormwater permits for municipalities and
urbanized areas (MS4)
RIDEM, EPA,
municipalities,
RIDOT, MADOT
2.2
Provide technical assistance to municipalities to implement Phase 2 stormwater
requirements starting with a joint RIDEM/MADEP project in the Blackstone River
watershed
RIDEM, MADEP,
NGOs, universities
2.3
Prioritize installation of BMPs to areas most affected by stormwater impacts, using
LID including habitat restoration where feasible
RIDEM, MADEP,
municipalities
2.4
Reduce pathogen contamination at state and municipal beaches to provide additional
recreation opportunities especially for urban populations
RIDEM, RICRMC,
RIDOT, NGOs
2.5
Support regional efforts to reduce and manage fertilizer use
State legislatures,
RIDEM, MADEP,
NRCS
2.6
INSERT ACTION ON SEDIMENTATION – SUE K.
3. Reduce pollution from combined sewer overflows
3.1
3.2
3.3
Complete needed CSO abatement projects in Providence, Newport, Worcester and Fall
River
Complete assessment of Providence CSO phase 1 and assess effectiveness of other CSO
projects as completed
Use results of Providence CSO phase 1 assessment to identify LID and urban green
infrastructure programs and practices that can reduce cost of CSO abatement for
Providence and other communities
RIDEM, MADEP,
WWTFs
RIDEM, MADEP,
WWTFs
NBC, RIDEM,
MADEP, Fall River
3.4
Continue to develop and implement prioritized TMDLs
4. Manage estuaries, rivers, streams and lakes to prevent degradation and
restore beneficial uses
RIDEM, MADEP
Potential Primary
Implementing Parties
4.1
Manage water withdrawals for scientifically-based sustainable yield that account for
land use projections, impacts on aquatic systems and inter-basin transfers
RI WRB, Mass. water
authorities, RIDEM,
MADEP
4.2.
Develop adequate streamflow standards for ecological integrity and effective streamflow
triggers for drought management plan
RIDEM, MADEP,
EPA
4.3.
Restore stream flow in areas that experience flow stress through existing regulatory
authorities, programs (RI wetland permits, RI Water Resources Board water allocation
authority and MA Water Management Act permits, Clean Water Act) and other opportunities
RIDEM, RIWRB,
MADEP, Mass. water
suppliers
4.4
Design and implement a tributary strategy that is consistent with watershed-based plans
required under CWA Section 319.
RIDEM, MADEP
4.5
Create R.I. state lake management program that includes requirements for lake
management plans that address water quality and invasive species. [REMOVE THIS]
RIDEM, RI
Legislature
5. Improve funding for water quality and quantity improvement and for resource assessment/
monitoring
5.1
Advocate for increased federal SRF and other federal funding for water and
wastewater infrastructure, stormwater treatment, habitat restoration, nonpoint source
pollution management and other actions in an approved CCMP
5.2
Increase the federal and state funding available to state DOTs to support construction of
prioritized stormwater retrofits using LID practices as identified in state stormwater manuals.
5.3
Develop funding mechanisms at the state and local level (especially consider utility districts)
to support prioritized onsite wastewater treatment and stormwater infrastructure
RI & Mass.
municipalities,
legislatures and
agencies
RIDEM, MADEP,
RICRMC,MACZM,
RIDOT, MADOT
RIDEM, RICWFA,
Mass. Revolving
Fund
6. Improve information, science and analysis that support management efforts necessary to
restore and protect fresh and salt waters.
6.1.
6.2.
Develop a watershed-wide monitoring program, linked to ecological indicators, to
assess conditions, prioritize investments and evaluate management actions. – in
support section
Support and develop volunteer monitoring programs, building on programs like the
Blackstone River volunteer monitoring effort; ensure resulting data helps fill gaps and has
adequate QA/QC to be used for state purposes
6.3.
Continue to identify and assess the extent and impacts of personal care products,
pharmaceuticals and endocrine disruptors to identify future pretreatment needs
6.4.
Make existing water quality monitoring data accessible to the public and other users
through online portals, maps, and other mechanisms
6.5.
Develop numeric nutrient criteria adequate to protect aquatic ecosystem health for all
NBR fresh and salt surface waters; base water quality management and permitting
decisions on criteria
RIDEM, MADEP,
RICRMC,MACZM
RIDEM, MADEP
RIDEM, MADEP,
universities, federal
agencies, RIDOH,
MADOH
RIDEM, MADEP,
universities, RIDOP,
Mass. Regional
Planning
RIDEM, MADEP,
MACZM, RICRMC,
NBEP
6.6.
Work with universities and federal agencies to improve scientific knowledge of water
resource issues including climate change implications; integrate new findings into
management schemes
Universities, RIDEM,
MADEP, RI Sea
Grant - CRC
6.7
Monitor and provide the public with ongoing reports on TMDL implementation progress
RIDEM, MADEP