Saving Little Narragansett Bay: A CALL TO ACTION
Since 2008, Save The Bay has been testing our local waters to help understand the connection between human impacts (wastewater, OUR CALL TO ACTION to the Towns of stormwater runoff) and changing climatic conditions (intense storms, Westerly, Stonington and Communities Upstream increasing water temperatures).
LITTLE NARRAGANSETT BAY IS 1 Develop comprehensive stormwater management plans that prioritize STRESSED BY: projects to filter polluted stormwater runoff from downtown areas and • Elevated bacteria levels use green infrastructure. • High nutrient loads • Large, thick mats of macroalgae 2 Develop enforceable regulations to ensure that existing septic systems • Poor flushing in shallow coves are properly operated and maintained. • Decreased dissolved oxygen levels 3 Promote personal responsibility programs to encourage community We call on local communities and members to reduce use of lawn fertilizers and pesticides, stop waterfowl citizens to take actions to mitigate feeding and encourage pet waste cleanup. pollution effects and enforce environmental regulations to protect 4 Advocate for local and state enforcement of water pollution laws and the delicate and extraordinary natural no-discharge zones on the Pawcatuck River and Little Narragansett Bay. resources of Little Narragansett Bay. 5 Develop a water circulation model to inform management decisions that affect Little Narragansett Bay.
6 Protect, restore and improve the health and resilience of coastal and freshwater wetlands, coastal barriers and eelgrass beds that help filter pollutants and act as nurseries for marine life.
7 Invest in monitoring nutrient and bacterial loads on the freshwater section of the Pawcatuck River.
SAVEBAY.ORG/LittleNarragansettBay WHAT’S IN THE WATERS OF THE PAWCATUCK RIVER AND LITTLE NARRAGANSETT BAY?
Nitrogen: Nitrogen from fertilizer and animal waste enters waterways Stormwater Discharge from septic systems, cesspools, wastewater treatment plants and stormwater Westerly pollution. Excess nitrogen causes algae to grow and decompose rapidly, using Wastewater Treatment Pawcatuck up oxygen vital to fish and shellfish. Facilities
Dissolved Oxygen: Marine life needs oxygen to survive. Low dissolved Potential Boat Discharges oxygen levels are often lethal to creatures that cannot move to areas with Waterfowl, Pets, Wildlife more oxygen, such as oysters, clams and schooling fish.
Chlorophyll: This green pigment is an indicator of how much algae is Residences with Septic Systems and Cesspools present in local waters. High volumes of algae mean high nitrogen levels, which deplete oxygen and threaten fish and shellfish. Wetlands
Bacteria: Bacteria from failing septic systems, cesspools, illegal sewage Macroalgae Mats discharges, pet waste, waterfowl waste and stormwater runoff is the most CONNECTICUT important measurement for human health along the river and Bay. Fecal Eelgrass Beds bacteria endangers human health.
Map courtesy RIDEM
RHODE Wastewater Treatment Facilities: Two discharge points exist in the Stonington WE ALL LIVE IN Pawcatuck River estuary—one in Westerly and one in Pawcatuck. About Barn Island Wildlife ISLAND 45-50% of Westerly residents are serviced by the Westerly wastewater Management Area A WATERSHED treatment plant. A watershed is an area of land where Septic Systems and Cesspools: Effluent from septic systems and cesspools all water drains into the same place. makes its way to the river and Bay through groundwater. The Pawcatuck River watershed spans 317 square miles to become Little Stormwater Runoff: When it rains, animal waste, oil, grease, gasoline, Narragansett Bay between Westerly, R.I. fertilizer, litter, sand, salting chemicals and metals from lawns, farms and roadways wash into the river and Bay. and Stonington, Conn. The river is home to several migratory fish species that Waterfowl Waste: Swans, geese and ducks flock to areas where they know Sandy Point spawn there, including herring, trout they’ll be fed by humans, and their waste contributes significant nitrogen and smelt. Together, the river and the and bacteria to the river and Bay. Avondale Bay support a tremendously productive Illegal Boat Discharges: Despite Westerly and Stonington No-Discharge living system that connects Long Island areas, illegal wastewater discharges from boats pollute the Bay. Sound with coastal Rhode Island.
Pets/Wildlife: Fecal waste from dogs, cats and livestock are a major source At the bottom of the watershed, of bacteria and nitrogen in the water. Little Narragansett Bay is shallow and partially enclosed, making it Macroalgae: Due to excess nutrients, the area north of Sandy Point into the very susceptible to human effects. mouth of the Pawcatuck River contains a buildup of large, gooey mats of Population growth, poorly-planned macroalgae smothering the Bay bottom. Beneath them, black mayonnaise- development, recreational use, like sediment supports very few marine species. Watch Hill pollution from wastewater and runoff, and changing climate conditions have “Kitchen” created serious water quality problems that must be addressed to ensure a healthy river and Bay. Napatree Point
Tidal ushing High nutrient loads High water clarity Large macroalgae mats High nutrient loads Elevated bacteria Low nutrient loads Lower nutrient loads Large macroalgae mats Limited water clarity SAVEBAY.ORG/LittleNarragansettBay Thriving eelgrass Some elevated bacteria Low dissolved oxygen Low dissolved oxygen OUR CALL TO ACTION for Individuals to Made possible by the generous support of the Forrest and Frances Improve Water Quality in Little Narragansett Bay Lattner Foundation. Additional sources of local water quality data: Watch Hill Conservancy, CLEAN UP AFTER Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed YOUR PET. Association, Clean Up Sounds and Dog and cat waste Harbors, Salt Pond Coalition, Rhode is a prime source of Island Department of Environmental bacteria and nitrogen Management and Connecticut in the water. Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
All water samples are processed and analyzed by the University of Rhode Island Watershed Watch Program.
Founded in 1970, Save The Bay’s mission is to protect and improve DON’T DISCHARGE FERTILIZE LESS. MOW LESS. Narragansett Bay. We envision a BOAT SEWAGE INTO Slow-release fertilizer reduces fully swimmable, fishable, healthy THE WATER. the amount of nitrogen entering Narragansett Bay, accessible to all, and globally recognized as a natural Use Westerly the water. Longer grass and grass treasure. and Stonington clippings left on the ground pumpout boat reduce the need for fertilizer. programs. DESIGN: DonnaDeForbesCreates.com 401-348-2500
DON’T FEED MAINTAIN YOUR SEPTIC SYSTEM. THE BIRDS. Septic systems should be checked and pumped Birds go wherever regularly. Replace cesspools—they are a direct food is easiest to get. conduit for waste entering the water. Waterfowl waste is a prime source of bacteria and nitrogen in the water. REPORT POLLUTION Save The Bay’s Coastkeeper serves as GROW A WIDE the eyes and ears of southern Rhode COASTAL BUFFER. Island’s coastal region. Water quality CAPTURE testing in the lower Pawcatuck River and Long grasses along STORMWATER Little Narragansett Bay has been the the shoreline keep RUNOFF. cornerstone of our advocacy there. geese off your Rain barrels and rain lawn and help To report pollution, a fish kill, illegal gardens reduce costs by filter pollutants dumping, or if you are concerned about providing free water for before runoff your landscaping. threats to the Little Narragansett Bay enters the water. watershed, contact Coastkeeper David URGE YOUR TOWN Prescott at 401-315-2709. COUNCIL TO ACT. SAVEBAY.ORG/LittleNarragansettBay Write letters. Make phone calls. Send emails.