Plans and Regulations

Charlestown has been an ongoing participant in the Department of Environmental Management's Wellhead Protection Program. The following are a few current examples of regulatory approaches that Charlestown is taking to protect their drinking water supply:

As of June 1999, there were 671 public wells located in 31 communities in Rhode Island.(1999 biennial highlights)

The Program includes:

• An ordinance that created a waste water district for the entire Charlestown.
• ISDS Management Plan.
• Workshops for the public in wastewater and groundwater protection.

ZONING

Click here for excerpts from AN ORDINANCE (No. 218)IN RELATION TO ZONING-Groundwater Protection District

TOWN'S SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS

• Can ensure development will not impact Well Head Protection Areas (WHPAs) or groundwater supplies. E.g. setting drainage requirements Best Management practices (BMPs) and performance standard in the subdivision review process.
• Requires and reviews environmental assessments for any proposed development in WHPAs and recharge areas.
• In general, zoning can also work hand in hand with open space acquisition to protect WHPAs and groundwater resources.
  
  CONTROL OF UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS (USTs)

• EPA cites leaking USTs as the single largest source of groundwater contamination.
• Regulations for residential fuel storage tanks is the Town's responsibility.

SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT PROJECT
(http://www.health.state.ri.us/environment/swaphome.htm)

• The project includes a study and report that gives basic information about the water used to provide drinking water. It is considered as the most cost-effective way of protecting our drinking water.
• US Congress enacted the 1996 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act, mandating the Source Water Assessment Program.
  
• Town planners, zoning committees or boards, and other land-use officials can benefit from the findings. The results, in its most complete and usable form, must be made available to the public.

UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND'S WATERSHED WATCH PROGRAM

• Trained volunteers monitor the quality of water in the four largest ponds in Charlestown