Water Quality - Nonpoint Source Pollution

Protecting and restoring the waters of the State – surface water, groundwater and wetlands – from pollution due to nonpoint sources continues to be an important focus of state water pollution control programs in Rhode Island. Managing nonpoint sources (NPS) of pollution – those that cannot be tracked to a single pipe or discharge point, such as overland stormwater runoff and failing septic systems – is challenging. Available monitoring data reveal nonpoint pollution as a widespread problem affecting every watershed in the State. Nonpoint sources are suspected of contributing to the impairments in a majority of the surface waters included on the state's impaired waters list, also known as the 303(d) list.

To prevent and combat NPS pollution, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) Nonpoint Source Pollution Management Program encourages various actions by state and local governments, businesses, watershed groups and individual landowners. The NPS Program uses the watershed approach to focus on managing nonpoint pollution problems. The DEM NPS Program activities are guided by the RI Nonpoint Source Management Program Plan (2019) as well as federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements governing Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 319 funds. In accordance with federal NPS guidelines, only those projects that are in watersheds which have a Watershed Plan that meets the required elements in the federal guidelines and which implement recommendations in the Plan are considered eligible for funding with Section 319 grant funds. See below for qualifying watershed plans.

For information, contact:

Betsy Dake, 401-537-4216

Nonpoint Source Program Success Stories

Outhouse Removal Eliminates Source of Bacteria

Removing Beaver Dams Reduces Phosphorus Impairment

Implementing Low Impact Development Practices at Bristol Town Beach Keeps the Beach Open and Improves Offshore Shellfishing Waters

Installing Infiltrating Catch Basins Helps Reduce Bacteria in Greenwich Cove

Installing Fish Ladders on the Ten Mile River Restores Historic Herring Run

Addressing Failing Septic Systems and Controlling Stormwater is Improving the Pettaquamscutt River

Watershed Plans

• Aquidneck Island Watershed Plan (in development)
  • For more information about the Aquidneck Island watershed plan, please contact Jacob Peterson, Environmental Scientist I, at jacob.peterson@dem.ri.gov or 401-537-4264. 

RIDEM Watershed Planning Areas