Portsmouth Residents Deserve a Full Discussion of Sewage Issue

Newport Daily News - April 19, 2009
Jonathan Stone, Save The Bay

Aquidneck Island has serious problems with wastewater and sewage.

A polluted coast hurts the state’s economy as well as our quality of life. That’s why clean water and a healthy Narragansett Bay are important to just about everyone I meet. But at a Portsmouth Town Council public workshop last week, I met many residents who are demanding a close look at the cost of sewers and wastewater treatment system upgrades. Others rightfully worry about the risk of infrastructure improvements sparking inappropriate residential and commercial development.

I listened to both residents and Council members who are struggling to address these legitimate concerns. The Council is reviewing a comprehensive wastewater facilities plan study prepared by the firm of Woodard & Curran.

On a parallel track, the Newport County Chamber of Commerce has commissioned an Aquidneck Island Facilities Plan by Northeast Engineers to examine regional – that is to say, Island wide – alternatives to solving the island’s wastewater, storm water and sewage treatment problems. This study offers the potential of significant cost savings to each of the island’s three towns through economies of scale and shared resources. Both plans will guide the Council and Town residents as they weigh their options.

Save The Bay and its members are advocates for a healthy Bay. We do not represent the Department of Environmental Management, the Newport County Chamber of Commerce or any special interests. We work on behalf of those who use and love Narragansett Bay.

At Save The Bay we view our role to be that of a watchdog whose mission is to ensure that all facts are aired, that the residents of Portsmouth have ample opportunities to evaluate information and discuss concerns, and that the process is open and fair to all.

We have a long history of working on Aquidneck Island wastewater issues, dating back to our first Bay swim in 1977. We are dedicated to clean water and public access. Our goal is a transparent, public process that includes meaningful public participation and shines the light on hard facts and scientific data. We owe it to our members and supporters who live in Portsmouth and elsewhere on the Island to ensure that this process is conducted the right way.

We are not pushing any one specific solution for Portsmouth, and we will not end-run this process to promote any single alternative. It’s likely that different communities within Portsmouth will require different approaches to be effective.

Ultimately the Town Council and voters of Portsmouth will have to make difficult choices. Whatever decisions the public process leads to, they must be equitable, cost-effective and must address the long-term needs of the town.

Any increases in wastewater capacity or treatment efficiency must be coupled with sensible growth management and planning. We hope and expect that our partners at the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission will play a lead role in this. None of us wants to see unchecked development and sprawl.

Save The Bay will work hard to promote constructive dialogue and bring independent analysis and resources to the table. Once the community has developed broad support for a solution, we will fight for funding support to soften the impact on homeowners and taxpayers. We welcome your views. Please call or email us with your thoughts.

Water pollution is a complex challenge – and everyone in the community should have a voice in solving it. We at Save The Bay have no doubt that the citizens of Portsmouth are up to the task.

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