Threats to Water Quality
Considering
its recent trends in increasing population,
Charlestown must plan future growth carefully in order
to maintain its currently outstanding drinking water
quality.
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Analysis
of Individual Sewage Disposal Systems In Charles
town: In
order to address the serious threat of outdated,
and currently unregulated Individual Sewage Disposal
Systems, we have conducted an analysis of one
plat in the southwestern region of Charlestown,
south of RT1. Here is the detailed information
on the results and methodology
of this analysis.
Ongoing
Project to Combat the Pollution of Green Hill
Pond :
This
salt pond which straddles the border between South
Kingstown and Charlestown, as well as its surrounding
watershed, has recently been subject to shell
fishing closings because of unsafe levels of bacteria
in the water. The increasing stresses of development
especially in the form of outdated cesspools and
leaking septic systems can be blamed for these
contamination.
The Block Island Green Hill Pond Onsite Wastewater
Demonstration Project is working toward updating
these failing wastewater systems in order to prevent
pollution and protect this precious natural water
body.
DEM has identified
the top threats as:
1.
LUSTs (Leaking Underground Storage Tanks)
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(click map to enlarge)
United Nuclear Site
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2. Cerclis Sites
EPA has identified these sites as a hazardous waste
sites through the legislation commonly known as CERLCA,
or Superfund. These sites range in type and severity.
One in particular is located in what is now Ninigret
Park, but used to be a Navy Auxiliary Base. While this
site is not an immediate threat to Charlestown's drinking
water, it could be to Ninigret
Pond. More information on CERCLA sites is available
from EPA.
3. Septic Systems
Dense residential development and large systems
can lead to excessive amounts of sewage effluent. Septic
Systems if not properly maintained or if clustered too
closely to each other or to water sources can leach
high levels of nitrates into the soil, groundwater,
and surface water. This occurs especially in Charlestown's
coastal communities with a recent example in the Central
Beach Fire District. Read an analysis of potential contamination
of water resources by unregulated ISDS's in Charlestown.
Read more about ISDS
on DEM's page.
4. Salt Water
Current pumping
volume in wells and exhausted water use along the south
shore can lead to salt water contaminating coastal fresh
water lens. High levels
of sodium are found in Indian Cedar Mobile Home Park
and in the Shady Harbor Fire District.
5. 303(d)
Section 303(d) of the Federal Clean Water
Act establishes state water quality standards. After
the section 303(d) process, all states must their
303(d) impaired waters lists and all total maximum
daily loads (TMDL) to the Environmental Protection
Agency for approval. States must use TMDL in their
continual planning process.
5.
Other Sources
Common non-point
sources of pollution:
Fertilizers, pesticides, petroleum storage tanks, dry-cleaners,
photo-processing stores, leaking home fuel storage tanks,
Package Sewage Treatment Facility.
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