Water Quality Concerns and Stormwater Runoff Solutions on Aquidneck Island

Aquidneck Island, RI- Water quality concerns have been an important topic in environmental conservation for a while, and the conversation is only becoming more and more relevant. In a recent EcoRI podcast, hosts discussed the ongoing conversation surrounding water quality concerns and potential solutions in and around Aquidneck Island.

Due to being a small, highly developed area made up of lots of businesses, farms, and residential homes located very close to our local drinking water sources, the Aquidneck Island community faces unique challenges in addressing water quality concerns. Stormwater runoff is a huge part of this as there is so little open land to absorb the increased rainfall. As continual development increases the impervious surfaces around the island; more nutrients, sediment, chemicals, and trash are being washed away and dumped into the local water supply sources.

A lot of money is spent to make sure the water is adequately cleaned for everyday water usage. However, there are actions that the average homeowner can take to reduce stormwater runoff and even reduce chemical pollution into the local watershed. This includes actions like growing a rain garden of native plants to absorb more rainwater, installing a rain barrel, and/or minimizing using certain products that leach certain chemicals into our water supply sources.

As mentioned in the EcoRI podcast, Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District (ERICD) is at the forefront of addressing and educating the public on stormwater management. EcoRI Reporter Collen Conin added “the Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District, [does] a lot of really cool stuff and education. And [they] do rain barrel workshops, [where] you get a rain barrel, which can collect your water, and then you use it in your yard.”

Our Rain Barrel workshops will be returning as part of our Earth Month events lineup. Stay tuned for our Rain Barrel event pages this month to sign up and take that step to make a positive impact on your local watershed by installing a Rain Barrel.

ERICD's conservation efforts help protect Aquidneck Island's watershed. Click here to learn about our stormwater efforts. Thank you to EcoRI, What’s Up Newp, and others for their ongoing coverage of water quality concerns that impact the whole community.