Newport RI Sewer Issue

by Burt Hoffman

Newport's sewer system, unable to treat our sewage properly, is polluting our harbor and beaches. We must stop adding sources of waste. Failure to stop new sewer connections until the system's capacity is increased threatens the health of the public and the health of the economy.

Dangerous amounts of fecal coliform have closed King Park beach and periodically close Easton's Beach. Pollution exists throughout the harbor. Signs warn residents of Butler St. that the liquid sometimes flooding their property is sewage.

Newport's sewage treatment plant was designed to treat 10-12 million gallons a day - waste that includes excrement from toilets and "gray water" from sinks and showers. It also treats street water runoff from rain that includes poisonous emissions from motor vehicles and whatever else is on sidewalks, streets and lawns, a highly toxic cocktail.

But sewage flow through the main treatment facility sometimes exceeds 20 million gallons a day while averaging 10.7 million gallons on a monthly basis. When it rains the gallons increase and the treatment plant can't handle it. Excess untreated or partially treated sewage is dumped into the harbor and at Easton's Beach.

Unless sewage treatment facilities are improved, pollution will undermine our economy.