Grants awarded in R.I. for 23 water quality projects

GOV. GINA M. Raimondo, along with Providence Mayor Jorge O. Elorza and state Department of Environmental Management Director Janet L. Coit, on Wednesday announced $3.3 million in grants for 23 projects to improve water quality throughout the state.  / PBN FILE PHOTO/ MICHAEL SALERNO
GOV. GINA M. Raimondo, along with Providence Mayor Jorge O. Elorza and state Department of Environmental Management Director Janet L. Coit, on Wednesday announced $3.3 million in grants for 23 projects to improve water quality throughout the state. / PBN FILE PHOTO/ MICHAEL SALERNO

PROVIDENCE – Approximately $3.3 million in grants to improve water quality throughout the state were awarded Wednesday in honor of Earth Day.

The grants were announced by Gov. Gina M. Raimondo, Providence Mayor Jorge O. Elozra and R.I. Department of Environmental Management Director Janet L. Coit at the Roosevelt Lake Walking Path at Roger Williams Park.

“Investing in clean water projects throughout our state will lead to healthier communities and a healthier economy,” Raimondo said in a statement. “Many of these water quality improvement projects engage the services of local businesses and put people to work and, at the same time, preserve and improve the condition our rivers and bays.”

The grants will be used for 23 water quality protection and restoration projects that abate pollution sources and improve storm water management.
Funding for the grants includes $2.8 million from the Narragansett Bay and Watershed Protection Bond Fund, along with $543,268 from the federal Clean Water Act Section 319 program.

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“DEM encouraged grant applications from collaborative projects that address nonpoint source pollution abatement on a watershed or regional basis,” a news release about the event stated.

Recipients of 2014-2015 Bay & Watershed Restoration Fund Grant Awards are:

  • Town of Barrington: $21,005 to address erosion into Brickyard Pond, which has been identified as a contributing source of water quality degradation in the pond.
  • Town of Bristol: Up to $174,984 for the purchase of a vacuum-assisted street sweeper and a clam shell boom-style catch basin cleaner for enhanced storm water pollution management practices.
  • City of East Providence: $47,200 for the design and construction of the first phase of storm water pollution abatement best management practices at Sabin Point Park adjacent to the Providence River.
  • Groundwork Providence: $40,560 to the nonprofit organization for the construction of storm water pollution abatement best management practices incorporating green infrastructure at the confluence of the Moshassuck and Woonasquatucket Rivers.
  • Town of Hopkinton: Up to $55,000 for the purchase of a vacuum-assisted street sweeper.
  • Town of Lincoln: Up to $115,000 for the purchase of a vacuum-assisted street sweeper.
  • Town of Middletown: $100,500 for the design and construction of storm water pollution abatement incorporating green infrastructure at the Aquidneck Corporate Park.
  • Town of Narragansett: $518,300 for the design and construction of storm water pollution abatement incorporating green infrastructure within the Narrow River watershed.
  • City of Newport: $250,000 for the design and construction of storm water pollution abatement measures to demonstrate green infrastructure in the Almy Pond watershed.
  • City of Newport: $142,000 for the purchase of a vacuum-assisted street sweeper.
  • Town of North Providence: $193,750 for various storm water pollution abatement activities to reduce pollutant loadings to the Woonasquatucket River.
  • City of Pawtucket: $30,000 for design and construction of storm water pollution abatement incorporating green infrastructure at Slater Park Pond.
  • City of Pawtucket: $175,000 for a vacuum/jet truck for enhanced catch basin cleaning capabilities.
  • City of Providence: $71,750 for design and construction of storm water pollution abatement incorporating green infrastructure and other storm water management measures in the Pleasant Valley Stream watershed.
  • R.I. Department of Transportation: $74,620 design and construction of storm water pollution abatement incorporating green infrastructure at Roosevelt Lake in Providence.
  • Town of South Kingstown: $310,300 for the purchase of a vacuum-assisted street sweeper and the design and construction of storm water pollution abatement incorporating green infrastructure within the Narrow River watershed.
  • Stone Bridge Fire District Water Department: $180,500 for the design and implementation of an alum treatment project to abate excess phosphorus in Stafford Pond located in Tiverton.
  • Town of Tiverton: $155,395 for the purchase of a vacuum truck for catch basin cleaning and other storm water pollution abatement activities.
  • Town of Warren: $39,500 for the design and construction of storm water pollution abatement incorporating green infrastructure along Serpentine Road adjacent to the Kickemuit Reservoir.
  • Town of West Greenwich: Up to $115,000 for the purchase of a vacuum-assisted street sweeper.

Also receiving Federal Clean Water Act Section 319 Funds Grant Awards were:

  • City of Newport: $279,863 for a green infrastructure pilot project to design and construct storm water best management practices in the city-owned roadway and right-of-way along Hillside Avenue.
  • R.I. State Conservation Committee: $35,405 to educate residents on the impacts to water quality from resident Canada geese and actions that can be taken to mitigate the impacts on private and public property.
  • Town of Warren: $228,000 for the second phase of a project to improve water quality at the Warren Town Beach by designing and installing storm water pollution abatement practices for the Water Street neighborhood.

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