About Us

Our Goal
RI NEMO provides information, education, and assistance to local land use officials regarding how they can accommodate growth while protecting drinking water supplies and other valuable water resources. Since 1993, we have been the only RI organization providing a consistent source of research-based information and tools to help local officials manage community water resources.

Our Audience
RI NEMO seeks to help Rhode Island municipal officials who make land use decisions, including board, council, and commission members, planners, and other staff. Our programs also reach state agency staff, non-profit environmental organizations, and private sector professionals.

Our Staff

Lorraine Joubert

Program Director

401.874.2138
ljoubert@uri.edu

Lisa DeProspo Philo

Program Co-Director, Communications Specialist

401.874.5687
lphilo@uri.edu

Our Connection to Cooperative Extension
RI NEMO is one of four Cooperative Extension programs at the University of Rhode Island dedicated to helping Rhode Islanders protect their water resources and health. Check out the other three programs:
HomeASyst
Onsite Wastewater Resource Center
Watershed Watch
We also are partners with the Watershed Hydrology Lab and the Environmental Data Center, whose research informs our programs and educational assistance.

Current Projects
RI NEMO is currently involved in multiple projects:

  • a municipal capacity training and public outreach project, which is part of the RI Department of Health Center for Drinking Water Quality,
  • a program to sample the drinking water of schools and daycares throughout Rhode Island for lead, which is also part of the RI Department of Health Center for Drinking Water Quality
  • work to update source water assessments for small community water systems – especially those serving marginalized populations, supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the RI Department of Health,
  • an effort to develop online training for Rhode Island’s municipal planning boards on the topic of stormwater, supported by the RI Division of Statewide Planning, and
  • work to advance stormwater, onsite wastewater, and watershed management with the Southeast New England Program (SNEP) Network.