Link to DEM Home Page Link to State of RI web site RIDEM graphical banner, showing land and water scene
Navigation button, HomeNavigation button, ProgramsNavigation button, TopicsNavigation button, MapsNavigation button, PublicationsNavigation button, NewsNavigation button, EventsNavigation button, SearchNavigation button, HelpNavigation button, Contact
Home > News > News Item

 
News Release
RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
For Release: October 8, 2003
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402
Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

DEM ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL SAMPLING RESULTS FOR FECAL COLIFORM BACTERIA IN THE BLACKSTONE RIVER
Slightly Elevated Bacteria Levels Detected at Manville Dam

PROVIDENCE - Test results from water quality samples taken yesterday by the Department of Environmental Management from the Blackstone River showed fecal coliform bacteria at normal levels at three locations along the river, and slightly elevated levels at a new location on the Cumberland/Lincoln line. DEM has taken water samples since last Friday to determine whether the October 2 sewage discharge from the Upper Blackstone Water Pollution Abatement District has impacted the Blackstone River in Rhode Island.

Water quality samples taken Tuesday afternoon at Albion Dam and Martin Street on the Cumberland/Lincoln border, and at Roosevelt Avenue in Pawtucket found normal levels of fecal coliform bacteria (100-200 fc/100ml or less) at the three locations. However, samples taken upstream at Manville Dam were somewhat elevated (300 fc/100 ml) yesterday, although they were normal on Monday.

Blackstone River water samples taken by US Filter, which operates the Woonsocket Wastewater Treatment Facility, continued to find elevated (1100 fc/100 ml) fecal coliform bacteria levels in Woonsocket. These samples continue to suggest that some contamination associated with last week's spill in Massachusetts is making its way into the Rhode Island portion of the river. Thus far, DEM has not picked up anything unusual in its samples collected in the river south of Manville Dam, nor observed anything unusual visually or by smell. The Department will continue to monitor bacteria levels in the Blackstone River.

Water quality sampling conducted by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MASS DEP) on Monday detected high levels of fecal coliform bacteria (21,000 fc/100 ml) in Rice City Pond in Uxbridge, MA, approximately eight miles north of the Rhode Island border. Elevated (4400 fc/100 ml) fecal coliform bacteria levels were also found Monday by MASS DEP in Blackstone, MA.

As a precaution, DEM and the Department of Health continue to advise people to refrain from contact recreation along the Blackstone River and to avoid consuming fish from the river until further notice.

-30-
For General Information 222-6800 • After Hours Emergencies 222-3070 • Disclaimer