I've Heard recent changes have been made to our groundwater protection? Can you explain and does this better preserve this vital resource?

Indeed, the Town has recently updated our groundwater protection ordinances which were more than two decades old and outdated.  Some of the most critical factors that drove this update were as follows.

  • The RI Dept of Environmental Management, in concert with US Geological Survey staff in the region have, utilizing additional hard data and more efficient computer modeling, been able to more precisely delineate the wellhead protection areas for each of our drinking water wells. These protection areas are based upon calculations which spatially define areas that directly contribute water to each well and as such, were officially adopted by the State of Rhode Island.
  • The existing groundwater ordinance in North Kingstown has aspects, such as the existing groundwater maps and the inclusion of wells other than public wells, that are in conflict with the regulations of the RI Department of Environmental Management and guidance from RIDEM staff.
  • Many of the existing ordinance’s commercial use restrictions, such as restrictions focused on x-ray and/or film development chemicals for example, are based on technologies that are no longer utilized. Additionally, a number of commercial uses prevalent today were not even addressed in the old ordinance.
  • Based on feedback from LEAN training given to much of the staff of the Town of North Kingstown it is apparent that the existing ordinance possesses a lack of clarity, which is a source of frustration and confusion for property owners and prospective commercial and residential developers.

Show All Answers

1. I've Heard recent changes have been made to our groundwater protection? Can you explain and does this better preserve this vital resource?
2. What is the difference between the two overlay zones, and what does that mean?
3. Why isn’t there a groundwater map on the website that is accurate and up to date?
4. Why would the Water Department want to put the groundwater reservoir at risk?
5. Is our water supply truly stressed?