Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank and the state’s Department of Health are providing $638,000 in grants to tackle emerging contaminants in drinking water systems across three communities.
The funding is aimed at small water systems in Saunderstown, Scituate, and Little Compton, which together serve about 800 people.
These grants are part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant Program.
Infrastructure Bank Executive Director William Fazioli explains, “PFAS and other emerging contaminants are becoming a bigger issue for public drinking water systems in Rhode Island. Unfortunately, small water systems don’t have the money to deal with this problem.”
The Little Compton School District is getting the biggest grant of $550,000. This will go towards removing PFAS contamination from the water system at Wilbur & McMahon Schools, which serves 450 students and staff.
Dr. Laurie Dias-Mitchell, Superintendent of Little Compton School Department, says, “By putting in a new treatment process, we’ll get rid of PFAS contamination and make sure our students and staff have safe drinking water.”
In Scituate, JEMP 1 LLC is receiving $48,000 to design upgrades for the treatment system at Scituate Commons Apartment Complex. This will address high levels of PFAS.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Newport County has been awarded $40,000. They’ll use this to design a manganese treatment system for Camp Grosvenor in Saunderstown, which serves about 300 people.
Dr. Jerry Larkin, Director of Health, points out, “This funding gives crucial resources to small public water systems in Rhode Island. It’s for specific projects that will improve local drinking water infrastructure, boost the quality of drinking water, and protect public health.”
These grants are part of a larger $18,914,000 allocation from the EPA to Rhode Island. This money will be used over five years to address emerging contaminants.
