Eliminating Sanitary Sewer Overflows in New England
Eliminating Sanitary Sewage Overflows in Rhode Island
Wastewater Emergency
Warwick Sewer Authority
in the News
Sewer: Period of Discovery 
Municipal Sewer & Water, September 2008
EPA New England, in cooperation with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM), is working to eliminate sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) in the state. Our goal is to achieve important environmental and health benefits for the citizens of Rhode Island by addressing the problems causing sewage overflows and improving the operation and management of wastewater facilities and collection systems in the state. Through this effort, we intend to ensure that communities take the appropriate actions to address both system maintenance and the long-term financial investment in their wastewater collection infrastructure.
EPA New England has combined a traditional enforcement approach with assistance -- providing workshops, technical assistance, on-site visits, and other resources to help utilities and municipal officials across the state understand and focus on this important issue.
EPA launched the effort in January 2007 with a letter to all Rhode Island regional treatment districts and municipalities with collection systems. This letter reminded districts and municipalities of their legal obligation to prevent sewage overflows and encouraged a proactive approach to maintenance and management of their wastewater infrastructure.
Letter from EPA New England to Rhode Island municipal leaders, January 17, 2007 (PDF) (2 pp, 295K, About PDF)
EPA Launches Effort to Rid Ocean State Waters of Harmful Sewage Overflows, January, 2007 (PDF) (2 pp, 299K, About PDF)