| Water Quality Programming |
| Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) | |
| RIPDES Phase II Stormwater Program | |
| Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP) | |
| Data | |
| Monitering |
| Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) | |
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A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) is a calculation of the amount of pollutants that a water body can assimilate and still perform all its functions. Development of a TMDL for the Woonasquatucket is not just a requirement of the Clean Water Act, but will help us to regulate and moniter the health of the river and to identify problem areas. |
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The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) ordered a complete characterization of stretches along the river as well as pond and reservoir sampling and this task was completed by the Louis Berger consulting group earlier this year. More than 350 stormwater outfalls have been identified thus far and efforts continue to track down illicit discharges in dry weather. The next step is to complete wet weather monitering this summer and identify sources of metals, bacteria, and other pollutants. Check out RIDEM's TMDL website or contact Kevin Bartlett for more information. |
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| RIPDES Stormwater Phase II Program | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| This program is mandated under an EPA rule of 1990 to address polluted runoff entering stormwater systems in municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) and eventually discharging into a waterbody such as a river or bay. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities deemed "urbanized areas" by U.S. Census data are required to undergo stormwater retrofitting to comply with new regulations. Municipalities on the "urban fringe" may apply for a waiver and forego regulation of MS4s. All the communities in the Woonasquatucket River watershed are either required or eligible for Phase II regulation. | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Federal guidelines dictate that the MS4 operator must: A) Apply for a RIPDES permit and incorporate Best Management Practices (BMPs) for
B) Achieve measurable goals for each minimum control measure C) Develop an implementation schedule including interim milestones and frequency of activities D) Report all results Draft regulations (developed in a collaborative effort with DEM, Departments of Public Works, town planners and engineers, and others) are due to be submitted to the EPA by mid-February. Although the watershed approach is not written into the regulations explicitly, communities that are tied to a watershed managing body (such as the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council) may be eligible for an extension of the timetable. Check out the RIPDES Stormwater Phase II website or contact Greg Goblick for more information. |
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