Plans and Regulations There are many plans that concern water; one that is important in South Kingstown where growth is occurring is the On-site Wastewater Management Plan (available from the Town Planning Office). It tries to ensure "proper design, location, construction, function and maintenance of sewage disposal systems. These systems, when left unchecked, are a major cause of degradation to the ground water in South Kingstown.

An important regulatory measure is wellhead protection areas. This is an area around the well that is meant to be free of potential hazards to wellheads.

Specific Plans:

Wellhead Protection Program (WHP): the development of plans that will protect (public water supply) wells. The goal is to protect areas around the well that are most likely going to affect the water because of hydrological characteristics (soil type, well-depth, etc.).

Source Water Assessment Project (SWAP): Builds on the WHP This is a project by Clay Commons at the Rhode Island Department of Health to identify potential threats to public drinking water. This involves community education and involvement using windshield surveys and community meetings.

On-Site Wastewater Management Plan (OWMP): This is a "tool box of strategies designed to ensure the proper design, location, construction, function and maintenance of sewage disposal systems." This is important, since septic systems are considered a major contamination threat to drinking water (Source: South Kingstown Planning Dept., 1999)..

Green Hill Project: Identifies pollution problems in Green Hill Pond and management options. For more information about this study, contact Lorraine Joubert at: 401-874-2138, the Cooperative Extension (for information on septic systems and drinking water): 1-800-448-1011.