City of Newport - Department of Utilities

Storm Drainage photo

Download the latest version of Adobe Reader

Storm Drainage

Stormwater runoff is collected in a system of catch basins and directed through a network of pipes and swales to one of the 50 outfalls. Earth Tech maintains the storm drain pipes and catch basins as part of their service contract with the City. Earth Tech can be contacted at (401) 845-2000 regarding flooding, a blocked catch basin or an illicit connection.

Questions regarding a new or existing connection to the storm drain system should be directed to the Utilities Division at (401) 845-5600.

The City has available a brochure to explain the importance of stormwater management and how individual homeowners can help. The brochure is available here: Solution to Pollution.

Easton Pond Dam & Moat Study

In September, 2006 the City Council awarded a contract for engineering services to Fuss & O'Neill, Inc. for the Easton Pond Dam & Moat Study.

The work included an assessment of the dam and appurtenant structures which form North and South Easton Pond and an evaluation of the drainage moat which surrounds the dam.

South Pond Spillway

The City has identified the Easton Pond dam and its integral drainage moat as a vital piece of the city infrastructure for both its drinking water and storm drainage. Easton Pond consists of North Easton Pond and South Easton Pond totaling 112.7 acres and 147.5 acres respectively.

The north and south ponds are separated by an earthen embankment and connected by pipelines through the embankment. The ponds are two of the raw water reservoirs used by the Newport Water Division. Water from these reservoirs is treated at the Station 1- Water Treatment Plant located on Bliss Mine Road. The Easton Pond has served as a raw water source dating back to 1877 and is a vital part of the Newport Water Division's infrastructure.

The last significant work completed on the dam was reconstruction of the spillway and south bank of the dam in 1939.

A drainage moat encircles the South Pond Dam starting at Station 1- Water Treatment Plant and discharges under Memorial Boulevard to the Atlantic Ocean at Easton's Beach in the same area of the spillway for South Pond.

The shallow, nearly flat ditch (moat) was apparently constructed to carry runoff from an area northwest of the pond and flow from the emergency spillway of North Pond.

West Embankment

Prior to the new Station 1 coming on line in 1991, filter backwash water and sediment from the sedimentation basin cleaning were discharged into the moat.

These discharges are now discharged directly to the Bliss Mine Road Sewer Pumping Station. Over the years with the development in the City, the moat has also become a discharge channel for numerous storm drains. During significant rain events the capacity of the moat is exceeded and area flooding occurs which at times leads to road or travel lane closures.

Easton Beach- UV Disinfection System

The Easton Pond Dam & Moat Study reviewed and presented long term water quality alternatives for the moat outfall onto Easton Beach. The long term alternatives involve major capital improvements and construction.

Based on the evaluation of the alternatives, Fuss & O'Neill recommended that the City implement an Ultraviolet Light (UV) disinfection system to treat the discharge from the moat after a storm event prior to it mixing with the water at Easton Beach.

However, there are several variables that need to be better defined prior to proceeding with a design of the system. It was further recommended that the City conduct a pilot testing program. The purpose of the pilot testing was to confirm that UV disinfection could significantly reduce bacteria loadings being discharged from the moat after a storm event as well as to collect data that would be required for the final design of a full scale system.

The City amended the contract with Fuss & O'Neill in June 2007 in order to proceed with the pilot testing for a UV disinfection system. A trailer mounted UV pilot plant was operated by Fuss & O'Neill from September through October 2007. The results of the pilot study are presented in the report.

Ultraviolet Light Disinfection Pilot Study Report

The results of the pilot study confirmed that UV disinfection could significantly reduce bacteria loadings being discharged from the moat during a storm event onto Easton Beach. While the pilot testing has confirmed that UV treatment is practical, several design issues need to be resolved as part of preliminary engineering such as: system layout and hydraulics; determine if pretreatment required; determine subsurface conditions; dilution factor; and electrical power requirements.

The City amended the Contract with Fuss & O'Neill in June 2008 for engineering design services associated with advancing the design of a UV system to a 60% level. A presentation of the preliminary design status was presented at a City Council Workshop on October 16, 2008. The preliminary design report was completed and is presented below.

The City amended the contract with Fuss & O'Neill in February 2009 to proceed with the final design and permitting in preparation for the bidding process for construction. The final design was presented at City Council workshop on August 25, 2009, prior to submitting permit applications for the project to the applicable regulatory agencies. A final City Council Workshop on the UV Disinfection Project was held on November 19, 2009.

The UV Disinfection Project will be advertised for bids beginning December 4, 2009. Construction bids for the project are due January 7, 2010.

Storm Water Annual Report

The EPA promulgated the Storm Water Phase II Rule, which targets municipal storm water systems, to comply with the requirements of the Clean Water Act and to protect the nations streams, rivers, and beaches from polluted storm water runoff. In Rhode Island the EPA Phase II Rule is administered by the RIDEM.

Owners of regulated small municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) authorized to discharge storm water under the Rhode Island Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (RIPDES) Storm Water General Permit for Small Separate Storm Sewer Systems and from Industrial Activity at Eligible Facilities Operated by Regulated Small MS4s must submit an Annual Report to the RIDEM, Office of Water Resources. The Report tracks progress of compliance with requirements of the general permit. The City is a regulated small MS4.

The City's Phase II Annual Report for Year 7- 2010 is noticed to receive public comment.

The Public Notice issued February 22, 2011 and the draft 2010 Annual Report are provided here. The Public Comment period ends March 4, 2011 at 4:00pm.

The City will address any comments received prior to submitting the Annual Report to the RIDEM by March 10, 2011 in accordance with the General Permit.

The following websites provide additional information on the Storm Water Program:

RI Pollutant Discharge Elimination System

Storm Water Phase II Compliance Assistance Guide