The purpose of the project was to demonstrate how managing onsite wastewater systems could protect critical water supplies and resources. The primary goals were to accelerate the implementation of performance standards for Block Island, using a risk based approach, and to fully implement wastewater programs in Charlestown and South Kingstown using similar risk based methods. The Rhode Island project is unique in establishing wastewater management programs to protect public health and control pollution risks from onsite systems – all within local watersheds. In addition, this project utilizes and disseminates information on alternative technologies which protect sole source aquifers, drinking water reservoirs, and shell fishing waters.

In the project Towns, more than 70% of residents rely on septic systems (U.S. Census 1990), and municipal sewer extension is not feasible due to high cost, distance from treatment facilities, or both. Southern Rhode Island communities face unprecedented growth and have limited sewer service beyond compact growth centers. The result is reliance on onsite wastewater systems for long-term treatment and disposal, in dense shoreline communities and all new development outside of Town centers.

The lack of management of onsite systems resulted in septic system failures that have restricted shell fishing, threatened drinking water, and impaired water quality. An estimated 60% of the septic systems in Rhode Island predate current regulations, and systems are actually cesspools. Even properly functioning conventional systems can pose environmental and health risks under certain hydrogeological and soil conditions and in nitrogen sensitive coastal waters.

For the reasons above, the three Towns worked to establish and implement wastewater management programs for several years prior to this project. Each Town had developed a wastewater management plan and ordinance. All three were developing low interest loan programs and educational programs related to wastewater. New Shoreham and South Kingstown had full GIS systems. New Shoreham adopted performance standards and a risk based approach in 1998.

The project also meets several needs outlined at the national level. In 1997, the U.S. EPA released its Response to Congress on Use of Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems. This report cited that a key barrier to decentralized systems was the lack of management programs. This project also supports EPA’s commitment to establishing voluntary standards for managing onsite wastewater treatment systems under the 1998 Clean Water Action Plan and supports EPA’s goal to promote sustainable growth under the Livable Communities initiative.