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Due to repeated
incidences of fecal coliform in the supply system, the
RI Department of Health has required Westerly to chlorinate
its water. Westerly
is being proactive about protecting its groundwater
resources. For more information on groundwater protection,
please link to the RI
DEM groundwater report.
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.).
(http://www.health.state.ri.us/environment/append7.htm)
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.
(http://www.health.state.ri.us/environment/swaphome.htm)
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.
The Town of Westerly's waste
water management plan for a sewage collection system
was approved by the state in late 1999. However, the
referendum for a sewer system in the Misquamicut area
recently failed.
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