Aquidneck Island Communities Receive $1 Million Grant for Clean Water Partnership
GoLocalProv News Team
Aquidneck Island Communities Receive $1 Million Grant for Clean Water Partnership
“The three Aquidneck Island communities – and the Navy – share a single drinking water system, while all three municipalities contribute runoff to our reservoirs and coastal waters. The City welcomes the opportunity to work more closely with our Island neighbors to ensure clean, safe waters for residents and visitors,” said Julia Forgue, P.E., Director of Utilities for the City of Newport.
The three-year program was developed by the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission in partnership with the City of Newport, Towns of Middletown and Portsmouth, Aquidneck Land Trust and Clean Ocean Access.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe Grant
The grant is aimed at reducing storm water runoff, which washes pollution into drinking water reservoirs and coastal waters on and around Aquidneck Island.
Storm water is a problem for water quality throughout the U.S., however with relatively little protected watershed, large surface reservoirs, and some of the state’s most popular recreational beaches, Aquidneck Island is uniquely vulnerable to this type of pollution.
“Island Waters” will develop an inter-municipal partnership to help the communities develop more effective ways of managing storm water.
Partners will work together to identify, design and build high-priority storm water improvements Island-wide, and will look to share resources and training.
The project is funded by EPA’s Southeast New England Coastal Watershed Program, with additional funds from all six municipal and non-profit partners.