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https://www.ri.gov/press/view/47691

Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is seeking public comment on its intent to issue a Finding of No Significant Impact.

RIDOH has reviewed Prudence Island Water District’s Environmental Assessment for its proposed water system improvements project. The proposed water system improvements project includes the installation of chlorine disinfection 4-log treatment systems at the Indian Springs and Army Camp well sites as well as the addition of an iron and manganese removal pre-treatment system at the Indian Springs well site. The project will take place on Homestead Avenue and on Army Camp Road on Prudence Island in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.

It has been determined that the direct and indirect environmental impacts associated with the project are minimal and that the project, with all proposed mitigation, will not have a significant effect on the environment; therefore, RIDOH is hereby giving notice of intent to issue a Finding of No Significant Impact for the proposed project pursuant to the requirements and authority set forth in Chapter 46-12.8 of the General Laws of Rhode Island and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund regulations (216-RICR-50-05-6).

A copy of the proposed Finding of No Significant Impact can be obtained by calling RIDOH’s Center for Drinking Water Quality at 401-222-6867 weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or by emailing [email protected]. All material submitted for review is available for public inspection weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at RIDOH, Center for Drinking Water Quality, Three Capitol Hill, Room 209, Providence, RI 02908.

Written comments should be sent to RIDOH’s Center for Drinking Water Quality at the address above or emailed to [email protected] within thirty (30) days of the date of this notice.

A public hearing to hear or otherwise receive comments on the proposed intent to issue a Finding of No Significant Impact will be held if RIDOH receives such a request by twenty-five (25) persons, or by a governmental agency, or by an association having not less than twenty-five (25) members, within ten (10) days of published notice. If a public hearing is held, it will be open to the public, recorded, and held at least five (5) days before the end of the public-comment period. A hearing will not be held earlier than ten (10) days after notice of its location, date, and time published. A request for a public hearing should be sent to RIDOH’s Center for Drinking Water Quality at the address above or emailed to [email protected]. Notice should be taken that if RIDOH receives a request(s) as provided above on or before 4:30 p.m., June 30, 2024, a public hearing will be held at the following time and place:

July 9, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. RIDOH Auditorium Three Capitol Hill Providence, Rhode Island 02908

Interested persons should contact RIDOH to confirm if a hearing will be held at the time and location noted above.

The location of the public hearing will be accessible to the handicapped. Interpreter services for people with hearing impairment and audiotapes for people with vision impairment will be made available. RIDOH is handicap accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Please call RIDOH’s Center for Drinking Water Quality at 401-222-6867 for further information. For individuals requesting communication assistance, call Rhode Island Relay (TTY) at 711 or 800-745-5555 at least forty-eight (48) hours in advance.

Related links

• Department or agency: Department of Health: Drinking Water
• Online: http://www.health.ri.gov/topics/waterquality.php
• Release date: 06-20-2024

The 2023 Annual Report is now available.

The Prudence Island Water District is seeking quotes to install an automatic emergency backup generator at our Broadway booster station.

The Prudence Island Water District (PIWD) is seeking sealed Bids for a distribution line replacement project. In general and without limitation, the work to be done under this contract includes the replacement of ductile iron and HDPE laterals with service connections and site restoration.

For details, see the bid invitation.

At its September 16, 2023 meeting, the PIWD Board proposed the following rates for 2024:

• The water service rate proposed is $775 per connection, annually, up 3.3% from 2023’s rate of $750/connection. This is an additional $12.50 per semi-annual bill.
• The proposed tax rate is $.59 per $1000 of assessed property value, down from 2023’s rate of $.76/$1000. This reduced rate is expected to result in revenue substantially similar to that collected in 2023, taking into account the revaluation performed by Portsmouth.

No other changes to PIWDs rates or fees were proposed.

PIWD’s proposed 2024 budget will be available later this month.

The Prudence Island Water District (PIWD) is seeking sealed Bids for the Water System Chlorination and Pretreatment project. In general and without limitation, the work to be done under this contract includes the construction of a drinking water treatment plant including but not limited to furnishing and installing; precast concrete building and foundation; site preparation, grading, and restoration; yard piping, fittings, valves, hydrant, and appurtenances; infiltration basin; a packaged greensand pressure filtration system; backwash supply tank and pump; process piping and valves; pumps; chemical feed systems; instrumentation and controls; facility HVAC and electrical; start-up and performance testing.

For details, see the bid invitation.

To keep our water supply clean, it is important that there are no “cross connections”, or places where contaminants can enter the piping system. The “Cross Connection Control Survey” inspections are a search for any such entry points, and are therefore an important step toward ensuring our water stays clean.

The State Department of Health requires the Prudence Island Water District to have licensed inspectors complete cross connection control survey forms for all customer premises. As we are a bit behind schedule (only about a third of the inspections have been performed to date), we will be making a significant effort to get inspections performed this summer.

Thank you for your help and cooperation!

How Are Inspections Scheduled?

If your property needs to be inspected, or if you are not sure if you need an inspection or not, please fill out our web form. If you cannot fill out the form, you may email us at [email protected] or call the office at 401-683-0011 and leave a message about scheduling your inspection, and we’ll get back to you.

When Will Inspections Be Performed?

Inspections will be performed on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, starting in May and extending through the summer. Weekday appointments may be possible depending on staff availability.

Does The Customer Need To Be Present?

The inspector needs access to various parts of the water service line and plumbing and may have recommendations, so it is best if the customer is present.

Who Will Perform The Inspection?

Inspections must be performed by a licensed surveyor. Depending on availability, inspections may be performed by System Operator Will Capron, Susan Andrade, or licensed professionals provided by the Rhode Island Rural Water Association.

What is a Cross Connection Control Survey And Why Are We Doing One?

A cross connection control survey is a process of examining a water supply system to identify any potential points where contaminants could enter the clean drinking water. This is important because it helps ensure that our water stays safe and healthy to drink.

The main benefits of a cross connection control survey are:

1. Protecting public health: By identifying and eliminating potential contamination risks, the survey helps keep our water free of harmful substances, bacteria, and viruses.
2. Maintaining water quality: Ensuring that clean drinking water remains separate from contaminated water helps maintain high water quality standards.
3. Regulatory compliance: Many places require these surveys by law to ensure water systems meet safety guidelines.

What Information Does The Survey Inspection Collect?

The inspection form records:

• The owner name and address
• Whether the property is residential or commercial, and if it requires non-interrupted service
• If there is a curb stop on the service line
• The installed and recommended type and location of backflow prevention devices
• If there is a drain back valve, and if so, the location
• Presence of any boilers, solar heaters, fire suppression systems, etc. that are connected to the public water supply
• Whether any other conditions exist on the property that pose a threat to the safety of the public water system.

2023 is an election year! The 2023 election will be held on Saturday, June 17, in the back room of the Union Church. Two Board seats are to be decided, those currently held by Robin Weber and Phil Brooks. As Phil is not eligible to run again, this is a particularly important election. See you at the polls!

The Board of Directors of the Prudence Island Water District (PIWD) in Rhode Island are seeking to hire a part-time water system operator for the PIWD water system. The water system utilizes three wells to provide water to the users and has one ground level storage tank. There are approximately 350 water customers on the system.

It is expected that this part-time position will be approximately 8 to 12 hours per week at 4 hours per day
minimum. This position could be for just two weekend days depending upon the arrangements that can
be made.

The position responsibilities will require regular interfacing with the public and other PIWD staff. In
addition to operating a water system, the position will include assisting with a water main flushing
program, a gate valve turning program, regular site work such as grass cutting and brush removal,
building maintenance (painting and cleaning), curb stop installations, water main pipe repairs and
installation, snow removal as well as other tasks as necessary.

Ideally, the applicant will have their Rhode Island Grade I Water Distribution, and Grade I Water Treatment
system operating licenses, however PIWD will train the right individual and that individual will have 12
months to obtain their licenses. The hourly rate is between $21 to $25 per hour dependent on
qualifications. Response time to call-outs must be 30 minutes or less during the daytime shift while the
individual is on Prudence Island. They will be responsible to carry a cell phone for normal and emergency
contacts. If the individual does not reside on PI, and has already taken the ferry back to the mainland after
their rounds of duty for the day, and they are called out on the cell phone for a water “situation”, they shall immediately contact the General Manager for direction.

Please submit your resume with three references to:
General Manager
Prudence Island Water District
PO Box 93
Prudence Island, RI 02872
or email to [email protected]. (401-683-0011).