Much of Newport’s water supply protection area (the Aquidneck Island watershed) is heavily developed, with serious pollution risks posed by urban development, active agriculture, and continued suburbanization.
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management has classified all water supply reservoirs and tributaries in the watershed as “impaired” because of poor habitat, high bacteria, and excessive algae.
In an effort to improve conditions, the Aquidneck regional water supply protection strategy includes inspecting for potential pollution sources, monitoring nutrient enrichment levels and algal blooms, town planning and passing new land use ordinances, education, controlling runoff, using creative development techniques, and adopting septic system management programs (State-EPA Nutrient Innovations Task Group 2009).
Reference:
State-EPA Nutrient Innovations Task Group. 2009. An Urgent Call to Action – Report of the State-EPA Nutrient Innovations Task Group. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Accessed October 2016. https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/documents/nitgreport.pdf.