On This Page
- Rhode Island Assessment Summary
- Water Quality by Waterbody Type
- Causes of Impairment
- Probable Sources Contributing to Impairments
- TMDL Alternatives by Cause of Impairment
- Previously 303(d)-Listed Waters Now Attaining All Applicable Water Quality Standards
- Causes of Impairment for 303(d) Listed Waters
- Cumulative TMDLs by Pollutant
- Cumulative Number of TMDLs
Data are also available for these cycles:
2002
2004
2006
2008
2012
Waterbody Changes from Prior Cycle
For More Information:
Rhode Island Assessment Report
State Water Quality Program
Rhode Island Water Quality Assessment Report
NOTE: For more specific information, see the RIDEM website at http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/benviron/water/quality/surfwq/iwqmon.htm..
Features
- About This Database (Integrated Report)
- Assessing Water Quality (Questions and Answers)
- Integrated Reporting Guidance
- Previous National Water Quality Reports
- EnviroMapper for Water
- AskWATERS
- EPA WATERS Homepage
- Exchange Network
- Assessment Database
- Statewide Statistical Surveys
- How's My Waterway Local Search tool
- Pollution Categories Summary Document
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Summary Results
Rhode Island (2010)
Description of this table| Size of Water | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rivers and Streams (Miles) |
Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds (Acres) |
Bays and Estuaries (Square Miles) |
Coastal Shoreline (Miles) |
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| Good Waters | 369.2 | 5,720.6 | 102.3 | 78.6 | |||||||||||
| Previously impaired waters now attaining all uses |
3.1 | 14.7 | .0 | ||||||||||||
| Threatened Waters | |||||||||||||||
| TMDL completed | |||||||||||||||
| TMDL alternative | |||||||||||||||
| Non-pollutant impairment | |||||||||||||||
| TMDL needed | |||||||||||||||
| Impaired Waters | 547.7 | 9,861.1 | 56.5 | ||||||||||||
| TMDL completed | 66.4 | 3,386.0 | 5.5 | ||||||||||||
| TMDL alternative | |||||||||||||||
| Non-pollutant impairment | 19.8 | 4,942.4 | .9 | ||||||||||||
| TMDL needed | 461.6 | 1,532.6 | 50.1 | ||||||||||||
| New TMDLs completed | 224.2 | 113.9 | .0 | .0 | |||||||||||
| Remaining TMDLs needed | 237.3 | 1,418.7 | 50.1 | ||||||||||||
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| Total Assessed Waters | 917.0 | 15,581.7 | 158.8 | 78.6 | |||||||||||
| Total Waters | 1,420.0 | 20,749.0 | 159.0 | 78.6 | |||||||||||
| Percent of Waters Assessed | 64.6 | 75.1 | 99.9 | 100.0 | |||||||||||
Summary of Water Quality Assessments for Each Waterbody Type
for Reporting Year 2010
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Rhode Island Rivers and Streams 2010
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Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Individual Designated Use Support
Rhode Island Rivers and Streams 2010
* Waters assessed for more than one designated use are included in multiple designated use groups below.
Description of this table| Designated Use | Miles Assessed | Percent Good | Percent Threatened | Percent Impaired | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fish And Wildlife Habitat | 881.8 | 68.3 | .0 | 31.7 | |
| Fish Consumption | 53.8 | 18.9 | .0 | 81.1 | |
| Primary Contact Recreation | 865.2 | 45.7 | .0 | 54.3 | |
| Public Drinking Water Supply | 6.1 | 100.0 | .0 | .0 | |
| Secondary Contact Recreation | 865.2 | 46.0 | .0 | 54.0 | |
| Shellfish Controlled Relay And Depuration | .2 | .0 | .0 | 100.0 |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Causes of Impairment
Rhode Island Rivers and Streams 2010
Description of this table
| Cause of Impairment | Cause of Impairment Group | Miles Threatened or Impaired |
|---|---|---|
| Enterococcus Bacteria | Pathogens | |
| Fecal Coliform | Pathogens | |
| Benthic Macroinvertebrates Bioassessments | Cause Unknown - Impaired Biota | |
| Non-Native Aquatic Plants | Nuisance Exotic Species | |
| Lead | Metals (other than Mercury) | |
| Cadmium | Metals (other than Mercury) | |
| Copper | Metals (other than Mercury) | |
| Iron | Metals (other than Mercury) | |
| Mercury in Fish Tissue | Mercury | |
| Dissolved Oxygen | Organic Enrichment/Oxygen Depletion | |
| Phosphorus, Total | Nutrients | |
| PCB(s) in Fish Tissue | Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) | |
| Eurasian Water Milfoil, Myriophyllum Spicatum | Nuisance Exotic Species | |
| Chloride | Salinity/Total Dissolved Solids/Chlorides/Sulfates | |
| Zinc | Metals (other than Mercury) | |
| Dioxin (Including 2,3,7,8-TCDD) | Dioxins | |
| Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) | Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) | |
| Mercury | Mercury | |
| Aluminum | Metals (other than Mercury) | |
| Ambient Bioassays - Chronic Aquatic Toxicity | Total Toxics | |
| Mercury in Water Column | Mercury | |
| Turbidity | Turbidity | |
| Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Bioassessments | Cause Unknown - Impaired Biota | |
| Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) | Total Toxics | |
| Aquatic Plants - Native | Nuisance Native Species | |
| Escherichia Coli (E. Coli) | Pathogens |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Probable Sources
Rhode Island Rivers and Streams 2010
Description of this table
| Probable Source | Probable Source Group | Miles Threatened or Impaired |
|---|---|---|
| Source Unknown | Unknown | |
| Introduction Of Non-Native Organisms (Accidental Or Intentional) | Other | |
| Urban Runoff/Storm Sewers | Urban-Related Runoff/Stormwater | |
| Wildlife Other Than Waterfowl | Natural/Wildlife | |
| Waterfowl | Natural/Wildlife | |
| On-Site Treatment Systems (Septic Systems And Similar Decentralized Systems) | Municipal Discharges/Sewage | |
| Municipal Point Source Discharges | Municipal Discharges/Sewage | |
| Natural Sources | Natural/Wildlife | |
| Cercla Npl (Superfund) Sites | Legacy/Historical Pollutants | |
| Wastes From Pets | Urban-Related Runoff/Stormwater | |
| Impervious Surface/Parking Lot Runoff | Urban-Related Runoff/Stormwater | |
| Agriculture | Agriculture | |
| Upstream/Downstream Source | Other | |
| Atmospheric Deposition - Toxics | Atmospheric Deposition | |
| Highway/Road/Bridge Runoff (Non-Construction Related) | Urban-Related Runoff/Stormwater | |
| Illicit Connections/Hook-Ups To Storm Sewers | Municipal Discharges/Sewage | |
| Contaminated Sediments | Legacy/Historical Pollutants | |
| Contaminated Groundwater | Groundwater Loadings/Withdrawals | |
| Landfills | Land Application/Waste Sites/Tanks | |
| Sanitary Sewer Overflows (Collection System Failures) | Municipal Discharges/Sewage | |
| Internal Nutrient Recycling | Natural/Wildlife | |
| Manure Runoff | Agriculture | |
| Combined Sewer Overflows | Municipal Discharges/Sewage | |
| Sediment Resuspension (Clean Sediment) | Hydromodification | |
| Aquaculture (Permitted) | Aquaculture | |
| Animal Feeding Operations (Nps) | Agriculture | |
| Industrial Point Source Discharge | Industrial | |
| Unrestricted Cattle Access | Agriculture | |
| Illegal Dumps Or Other Inappropriate Waste Disposal | Spills/Dumping |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Rhode Island Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds 2010
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Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Individual Designated Use Support
Rhode Island Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds 2010
* Waters assessed for more than one designated use are included in multiple designated use groups below.
Description of this table| Designated Use | Acres Assessed | Percent Good | Percent Threatened | Percent Impaired | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fish And Wildlife Habitat | 14,990.6 | 44.1 | .0 | 55.9 | |
| Fish Consumption | 3,123.8 | 23.4 | .0 | 76.6 | |
| Primary Contact Recreation | 14,188.6 | 97.3 | .0 | 2.7 | |
| Public Drinking Water Supply | 4,322.5 | 98.7 | .0 | 1.3 | |
| Secondary Contact Recreation | 14,188.6 | 97.3 | .0 | 2.7 |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Causes of Impairment
Rhode Island Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds 2010
Description of this table
| Cause of Impairment | Cause of Impairment Group | Acres Threatened or Impaired |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Native Aquatic Plants | Nuisance Exotic Species | |
| Mercury in Fish Tissue | Mercury | |
| Phosphorus, Total | Nutrients | |
| Dissolved Oxygen | Organic Enrichment/Oxygen Depletion | |
| Non-Native Fish/Shellfish/Zooplankton | Nuisance Exotic Species | |
| Excess Algal Growth | Algal Growth | |
| Eurasian Water Milfoil, Myriophyllum Spicatum | Nuisance Exotic Species | |
| Lead | Metals (other than Mercury) | |
| Other Flow Regime Alterations | Flow Alteration(s) | |
| Fecal Coliform | Pathogens | |
| Copper | Metals (other than Mercury) | |
| Cadmium | Metals (other than Mercury) | |
| Aluminum | Metals (other than Mercury) | |
| Turbidity | Turbidity | |
| PCB(s) in Fish Tissue | Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) | |
| Taste and Odor | Taste, Color and Odor | |
| Benthic Macroinvertebrates Bioassessments | Cause Unknown - Impaired Biota | |
| Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Bioassessments | Cause Unknown - Impaired Biota | |
| Total Suspended Solids (TSS) | Turbidity | |
| Chloride | Salinity/Total Dissolved Solids/Chlorides/Sulfates | |
| Iron | Metals (other than Mercury) | |
| Chlorophyll-A | Algal Growth |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Probable Sources
Rhode Island Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds 2010
Description of this table
| Probable Source | Probable Source Group | Acres Threatened or Impaired |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction Of Non-Native Organisms (Accidental Or Intentional) | Other | |
| Atmospheric Deposition - Toxics | Atmospheric Deposition | |
| Source Unknown | Unknown | |
| Urban Runoff/Storm Sewers | Urban-Related Runoff/Stormwater | |
| Internal Nutrient Recycling | Natural/Wildlife | |
| Waterfowl | Natural/Wildlife | |
| Agriculture | Agriculture | |
| Impacts From Hydrostructure Flow Regulation/Modification | Hydromodification | |
| Flow Alterations From Water Diversions | Hydromodification | |
| Upstream/Downstream Source | Other | |
| Post-Development Erosion And Sedimentation | Hydromodification | |
| Wildlife Other Than Waterfowl | Natural/Wildlife | |
| On-Site Treatment Systems (Septic Systems And Similar Decentralized Systems) | Municipal Discharges/Sewage | |
| Illegal Dumps Or Other Inappropriate Waste Disposal | Spills/Dumping | |
| Aquaculture (Permitted) | Aquaculture | |
| Sediment Resuspension (Clean Sediment) | Hydromodification | |
| Wastes From Pets | Urban-Related Runoff/Stormwater | |
| Sanitary Sewer Overflows (Collection System Failures) | Municipal Discharges/Sewage | |
| Atmospheric Deposition - Nitrogen | Atmospheric Deposition | |
| Municipal Point Source Discharges | Municipal Discharges/Sewage | |
| Combined Sewer Overflows | Municipal Discharges/Sewage |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Rhode Island Bays and Estuaries 2010
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Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Individual Designated Use Support
Rhode Island Bays and Estuaries 2010
* Waters assessed for more than one designated use are included in multiple designated use groups below.
Description of this table| Designated Use | Square Miles Assessed | Percent Good | Percent Threatened | Percent Impaired | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fish And Wildlife Habitat | 109.3 | 53.9 | .0 | 46.1 | |
| Fish Consumption | 158.8 | 100.0 | .0 | .0 | |
| Primary Contact Recreation | 155.7 | 90.0 | .0 | 10.0 | |
| Secondary Contact Recreation | 155.7 | 90.0 | .0 | 10.0 | |
| Shellfish Consumption | 131.7 | 75.9 | .0 | 24.1 | |
| Shellfish Controlled Relay And Depuration | 16.5 | 95.4 | .0 | 4.6 |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Causes of Impairment
Rhode Island Bays and Estuaries 2010
Description of this table
| Cause of Impairment | Cause of Impairment Group | Square Miles Threatened or Impaired |
|---|---|---|
| Dissolved Oxygen | Organic Enrichment/Oxygen Depletion | |
| Fecal Coliform | Pathogens | |
| Nitrogen, Total | Nutrients | |
| Temperature, Water | Temperature | |
| Fish Bioassessments | Cause Unknown - Impaired Biota | |
| Sediment Bioassays for Estuarine and Marine Water | Total Toxics | |
| Non-Native Aquatic Plants | Nuisance Exotic Species | |
| Eurasian Water Milfoil, Myriophyllum Spicatum | Nuisance Exotic Species | |
| Enterococcus Bacteria | Pathogens | |
| Phosphorus, Total | Nutrients |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Probable Sources
Rhode Island Bays and Estuaries 2010
Description of this table
| Probable Source | Probable Source Group | Square Miles Threatened or Impaired |
|---|---|---|
| Source Unknown | Unknown | |
| Combined Sewer Overflows | Municipal Discharges/Sewage | |
| Urban Runoff/Storm Sewers | Urban-Related Runoff/Stormwater | |
| Industrial Thermal Discharges | Industrial | |
| Cooling Water Intake Structures (Impingement Or Entrainment) | Industrial | |
| On-Site Treatment Systems (Septic Systems And Similar Decentralized Systems) | Municipal Discharges/Sewage | |
| Waterfowl | Natural/Wildlife | |
| Wildlife Other Than Waterfowl | Natural/Wildlife | |
| Wastes From Pets | Urban-Related Runoff/Stormwater | |
| Upstream Source | Other | |
| Upstream/Downstream Source | Other | |
| Contaminated Sediments | Legacy/Historical Pollutants | |
| Municipal Point Source Discharges | Municipal Discharges/Sewage | |
| Rcra Hazardous Waste Sites | Industrial | |
| Highway/Road/Bridge Runoff (Non-Construction Related) | Urban-Related Runoff/Stormwater | |
| Impervious Surface/Parking Lot Runoff | Urban-Related Runoff/Stormwater | |
| Introduction Of Non-Native Organisms (Accidental Or Intentional) | Other | |
| Agriculture | Agriculture | |
| Sanitary Sewer Overflows (Collection System Failures) | Municipal Discharges/Sewage | |
| Landfills | Land Application/Waste Sites/Tanks |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Rhode Island Coastal Shoreline 2010
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Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Individual Designated Use Support
Rhode Island Coastal Shoreline 2010
* Waters assessed for more than one designated use are included in multiple designated use groups below.
Description of this table| Designated Use | Miles Assessed | Percent Good | Percent Threatened | Percent Impaired | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fish Consumption | 78.6 | 100.0 | .0 | .0 | |
| Primary Contact Recreation | 78.6 | 100.0 | .0 | .0 | |
| Secondary Contact Recreation | 78.6 | 100.0 | .0 | .0 | |
| Shellfish Consumption | 78.6 | 100.0 | .0 | .0 |
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Causes of Impairment
Rhode Island Coastal Shoreline 2010
No causes of impairment reported.
Site-specific Targeted Monitoring Results
Probable Sources
Rhode Island Coastal Shoreline 2010
No probable sources of impairments reported.
Rhode Island Causes of Impairment for Reporting Year 2010
Description of this table
Rhode Island Probable Sources Contributing to Impairments
for Reporting Year 2010
Description of this table
| NOTE: Click on the underlined Probable Source Group to see a list of specific state Probable Sources making up the Probable Source Group. | |||||||||||||||
| Probable Source Group | Size of Assessed Waters with Probable Sources of Impairments | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rivers and Streams (Miles) |
Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds (Acres) |
Bays and Estuaries (Square Miles) |
Coastal Shoreline (Miles) |
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| Agriculture | 18.2 | 522.4 | .7 | ||||||||||||
| Aquaculture | 3.0 | 130.3 | |||||||||||||
| Atmospheric Deposition | 11.0 | 2,419.9 | |||||||||||||
| Groundwater Loadings/Withdrawals | 8.2 | ||||||||||||||
| Hydromodification | 3.0 | 825.4 | |||||||||||||
| Industrial | 2.2 | 10.8 | |||||||||||||
| Land Application/Waste Sites/Tanks | 8.2 | .1 | |||||||||||||
| Legacy/Historical Pollutants | 17.4 | 1.0 | |||||||||||||
| Municipal Discharges/Sewage | 52.9 | 372.6 | 41.8 | ||||||||||||
| Natural/Wildlife | 81.1 | 1,489.2 | 5.5 | ||||||||||||
| Other | 116.0 | 6,679.1 | 4.7 | ||||||||||||
| Spills/Dumping | .7 | 143.4 | |||||||||||||
| Unknown | 456.9 | 1,856.3 | 44.9 | ||||||||||||
| Urban-Related Runoff/Stormwater | 78.8 | 1,590.0 | 19.0 | ||||||||||||
Rhode Island TMDL Alternatives by Cause of Impairment 2010
Description of this table
| NOTE: Click on the underlined "Number of TMDL Alternatives by Cause of Impairment " value to see a listing of those Causes of Impairment. | ||||||||||||||
| Cause of Impairment | Number of TMDL Alternatives |
Bays and Estuaries (Square Miles) |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fish Bioassessments | 10 | |||||||||||||
| Temperature, Water | 10 | |||||||||||||
Total: 8 TMDL Alternatives
Rhode Island Previously 303(d)-Listed Waters Now Attaining All Applicable Water Quality Standards
Description of this table| NOTE: Click on the underlined "Number of Waters Attaining" value for a detailed list of those previously 303(d)-listed waters now attaining all applicable water quality standards. | ||
| Year Attaining | Number of Waters Attaining | Number of Causes of Impairment Addressed |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 4 | |
| 2011 | 1 | |
| 2012 | 1 | |
Rhode Island Causes of Impairment for 303(d) Listed Waters
Description of this table| NOTE: Click on a cause of impairment (e.g. pathogens) to see the specific state-reported causes that are grouped to make up this category. Click on the "Number of Causes of Impairment Reported" to see a list of waters with that cause of impairment. | |
| Cause of Impairment Group Name | Number of Causes of Impairment Reported |
|---|---|
| Pathogens | |
| Metals (other than Mercury) | |
| Nutrients | |
| Organic Enrichment/Oxygen Depletion | |
| Cause Unknown - Impaired Biota | |
| Mercury | |
| Total Toxics | |
| Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) | |
| Turbidity | |
| Dioxins | |
| Salinity/Total Dissolved Solids/Chlorides/Sulfates | |
Total: 316 Causes of Impairment
Rhode Island Cumulative TMDLs by Pollutant
This chart includes TMDLs since October 1, 1995.
Description of this table| NOTE: Click on the underlined "Pollutant" value to see associated listed waters for which a TMDL was developed. Click on the underlined "Number of TMDLs" value to see a listing of those TMDLs for the pollutant. | ||
| Pollutant | Number of TMDLs | Number of Causes of Impairment Addressed |
|---|---|---|
| Enterococcus Bacteria | 59 | |
| Fecal Coliform | 59 | |
| Pathogens | 20 | |
| Mercury | 19 | |
| Phosphorus, Total | 37 | |
| Copper | 4 | |
| Lead | 4 | |
| Zinc | 4 | |
| Cadmium | 2 | |
| Escherichia Coli (E. Coli) | 1 | |
| Nutrients | 4 | |
Total: 190 TMDLs; 213 Causes of Impairment Addressed
Rhode Island Cumulative Number of TMDLs
EPA Fiscal Year starts October 1 and ends September 30.
Description of this table
| NOTE: Click on the underlined "Number of TMDLs Completed" value for a detailed list of the TMDLs for the fiscal year. | ||
| Fiscal Year | Number of TMDLs | Number of Causes of Impairment Addressed |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 3 | |
| 2001 | 3 | |
| 2002 | 7 | |
| 2003 | 5 | |
| 2004 | 6 | |
| 2005 | 2 | |
| 2006 | 28 | |
| 2007 | 30 | |
| 2008 | 31 | |
| 2009 | 12 | |
| 2010 | 7 | |
| 2011 | 65 | |
| 2013 | 14 | |
Total: 190 TMDLs; 213 Causes of Impairment Addressed
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