URI, state agencies launch campaign to curb stormwater pollution                                          

Rhode Island’s waterways are under assault by polluted stormwater discharges, and the University of Rhode Island, state agencies and an environmental group are enlisting state residents in the fight to protect water quality.

At a recent press conference at the Goddard State Park in Warwick, a “Know Where It Goes” campaign was kicked off and in a light-hearted way officials hope to convince state residents and businesses that they can take steps to make sure harmful substances don’t enter stormwater drains that eventually end up in Narragansett Bay and other bodies of water around the state.

The campaign is being waged by URI’s College of the Environment and Life Sciences (CELS), the state Department of Transportation, the state Department of Environmental Management and Save the Bay.

By following the steps outlined in the campaign, “Individual Rhode Islanders, as well as agencies within our cities and towns, can help battle stormwater pollution,” said Robert Weygand, URI’s vice president for administration. Weygand heads up URI’s Council for Sustainability which is making efforts to minimize pollution in stormwater on the campus.

“Stormwater pollution occurs when water from a rainstorm, a garden hose or any other source carries pollutants such as pet waste, car fluids and fertilizers flows into street storm drains, said Jeffrey Seemann, dean of the college. Those drains usually empty into bodies of water.

The campaign will have numerous elements including public service advertisements done in a lighthearted way, said John Torgan of Save the Bay. A website www.ristormwatersolutions.org will provide steps that people can follow to reduce stormwater pollution. Ads will also be placed on RIPTA buses.

Among the ideas suggested on the website are: How to capture rainwater for irrigating plants, position lawn sprinklers so they don’t hit sidewalks and driveways, sweep up any spilled fertilizer, clean up pet waste and take care not to spill oil or antifreeze when servicing a vehicle.

In addition the college’s Outreach Center will offer workshops to municipalities so that their agencies, such as public works, can avoid practices that contribute to stormwater pollution.

The campaign also has the support of key state agencies.

“It is vitally important that we alert the public to this particular type of pollution,” said Michael Sullivan, director of the state Department of Environmental Management. “While DEM takes strides to ensure the protection of our waterways, stormwater pollution is most effectively combated by the simple steps people can take on their own to prevent stormwater runoff,” he added.

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