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In 1984, Block Island received federal designation
as a Sole Source Aquifer (SSA) under the authority
of the Safe Drinking Water Act. All water is taken
from the Salt Pond aquifer below the Great Salt
Pond.
Block Island is called "the most ecologically
significant place in Rhode Island and one of the
most ecologically important places in North America"
by The Nature Conservancy.
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(The
Nature Conservancy)
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This designation comes in large part
due to the Great Salt Pond which is managed under the
"Great Salt Pond Harbor Management Plan."
This plan considers the multitude of potential contaminants
to the unconfined Salt Pond aquifer which is highly
susceptible to contamination from surface waters, streams,
wetlands, and coastal ponds.
Independent Sewage Disposal Systems
(ISDS) are prevalent on the island due to limited public
sewage treatment. Llimited public water provides a limit
to growth and it places great responsability on individual
residents for maintenance of their ISDS.
With a grant from the EPA the town is currently working
in conjunction with The University of Rhode Island on
an initiative to eliminate ISDS nitrate pollution through
the use of new septic system technology.
Click here for more information.
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