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News Release RI Department of Environmental Management 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908 (401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
DEM INVESTIGATES SOURCE OF ODORS IN CONIMICUT POINT SECTION OF WARWICK PROVIDENCE -- Inspectors from the Department of Environmental Management's Office of Compliance and Inspection are actively assessing complaints of objectionable odors in the Conimicut section of Warwick, in the vicinity of Shawomet and Bellman Avenues. Both roads run parallel to the beach and head toward Conimicut Point.The Department initially received complaints about the odor problem last Thursday from Conimicut residents, and sent an air inspector to investigate the matter on Friday. While the DEM air inspector was able to verify the presence of objectionable odors in the area, the source of the odors could not be determined. In order to pinpoint where the odors are coming from, the Department is continuing to look at several possible natural and man-made causes. Additional monitoring and assessments by DEM inspectors this afternoon found that the water along the Conimicut Point shoreline is discolored, and that the odors are fleeting and particularly intense at low tide. These initial findings are leading the Department to suspect the odors may, at least in part, be the result of localized decaying seaweed in Narragansett Bay, and/or may be caused by the millions of soft shell clams that died due to the recent low-oxygen event that affected Greenwich Bay and upper Narragansett Bay. The northerly winds that have been occurring over the past several days may be pushing large amounts of decaying matter towards the Conimicut shoreline, causing the odors to be particularly bad in that area. Decaying matter often releases hydrogen sulfide, a noxious gas that causes a strong odor. Hydrogen sulfide is a known cause of offensive odors, and long term exposure to low concentrations of the substance can trigger respiratory complaints such as breathing difficulties. The Department has not found any evidence of any recent sewage treatment plant failures. DEM is continuing to investigate other possible sources for the odors in the area, such as failing septic systems, and will take both water and air samples on Wednesday. -30- |
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