Water Quality - Nonpoint Source Pollution
Protecting and restoring the waters of the State – surface water, groundwater and wetlands – from pollution due to nonpoint sources continues to be an important focus of state water pollution control programs in Rhode Island. Managing nonpoint sources (NPS) of pollution – those that cannot be tracked to a single pipe or discharge point, such as overland stormwater runoff and failing septic systems – is challenging. Available monitoring data reveal nonpoint pollution as a widespread problem affecting every watershed in the State. Nonpoint sources are suspected of contributing to the impairments in a majority of the surface waters included on the state's impaired waters list, also known as the 303(d) list.
To prevent and combat NPS pollution, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) Nonpoint Source Pollution Management Program encourages various actions by state and local governments, businesses, watershed groups and individual landowners. The NPS Program uses the watershed approach to focus on managing nonpoint pollution problems. The DEM NPS Program activities are guided by the RI Nonpoint Source Pollution Management Plan (DEM/DOA, 1995) as well as federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements governing Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 319 funds.
For information, contact:
- Ernie Panciera, 222-4700 ext. 7603
- Betsy Dake, 222-4700 ext. 7230
PRIMARY RESOURCES
- 2019 RI Nonpoint Source Management Program Plan
- Nonquit Pond Watershed Plan
- Stormwater Manual Page
- Nonpoint Source Funding Page
- Map of 319 CWA Grant Projects
- Bristol-Kickemuit Rivers Watershed Plan
- Barrington-Palmer-Warren Rivers Watershed Plan
- Simple Ways You Can Help Keep Rhode Island's Waters Clean
DOCUMENTS