Funding
Primary support for the project was awarded to URI’s Cooperative Extension Water Quality Program by the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) in partnership with the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank (RIIB) with funding from the EPA’s Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities (EC-SDC) Grant Program.
Additional funding for the program was awarded through the Southeast New England Program Network (SNEP Network). The SNEP Network is a project of the New England Environmental Finance Center and is funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Southeast New England Program.
Partnerships
URI’s Cooperative Extension Water Quality Program is committed to expanding the capacity of Rhode Islanders to assess, restore and protect water resources throughout the state. Through four coordinated initiatives— Rhode Island Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials (RI NEMO), Watershed Watch, Onsite Wastewater Resource Center (OWRC) and Home-A-Syst—the program provides community support, technical guidance, and education focused on reducing impacts to groundwater, surface water, and drinking water. Together, these programs offer expertise in watershed monitoring, municipal engagement, private well stewardship, and onsite wastewater research and training. During the project, Water Quality Program staff will also collaborate with the URI Environmental Data Center, a geospatial research lab specializing in spatial data processing, visualization, and distribution.
RIDOH is a longstanding partner of the URI Water Quality Program, providing guidance on public and private well regulations and addressing water quality issues that impact public health in Rhode Island.
The SNEP Network’s mission is to advance stormwater, ecological restoration, and climate resilience projects to the funding/financing and implementation phase. Additional focus areas include local capacity building and developing regional tools and resources.
Advisory Committees
URI Water Quality Program staff is working closely with local environmental advocates and state agencies throughout the project and has convened an Advisory Committee within each community to help engage residents and identify community concerns.
The Charlestown Advisory Committee includes members from the Charlestown Climate Resiliency Commission, Charlestown On-Site Wastewater Management Program, Wood-Pawcatuck Wild and Scenic Rivers Council, Rhode Island Department of Health Center for Drinking Water Quality, and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Office of Land Revitalization and Sustainable Materials Management.
The Exeter Advisory Committee includes members from the Town of Exeter Department of Emergency Management, Exeter Conservation Commission, Wood-Pawcatuck Wild and Scenic Rivers Council, Rhode Island Department of Health Center for Drinking Water Quality, and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Office of Land Revitalization and Sustainable Materials Management.
