NORTH SMITHFIELD – The Rhode Island Department of Health has reviewed a proposal to address chemicals found in the water system that serves North Smithfield High School and Middle School and is now accepting public comment on the finding that the plan is exempt from further environmental assessments.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS exceeding the state’s maximum safety standard were discovered in one of the wells that serves the schools in 2023. At the time, temporary measures were put in place to ensure the safety of the drinking water.
The school department entered a consent agreement to address the problem in 2024 has since proposed a solution that would see a new treatment system put in place.
“The proposed project involves adding three granular activated carbon filters to the existing infrastructure located within the existing pumphouse,” RIDOH noted in a release.
RIDOH noted the project would also include installation of new equipment including pressure bladder tanks; filters; pH meter instrumentation and controls; installation of interconnecting piping; mechanical specials including flowmeters; sample taps and backflow preventer, and field-mounted instruments.
“The work shall also include hydro-static testing, flushing and sanitization of the installed equipment, piping and appurtenances,” the agency stated.
Known to cause cancer and a myriad of other health problems, PFAS are considered an emerging contaminant, RIDOH notes.
The department has determined that the school’s proposed project to address the issue meets the criteria for a categorical exclusion, meaning it will have minimal environmental impact and is exempt from full assessments.
For those who want more information on the decision, a copy of the proposed categorical exclusion can be obtained by calling RIDOH’s Center for Drinking Water Quality at (401) 222-6867 weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or by emailing [email protected]. All material submitted for review is available for public inspection weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at RIDOH, Center for Drinking Water Quality at Three Capitol Hill, Room 209 in Providence.
Written comments should be sent to the Center for Drinking Water Quality or emailed to [email protected] within 30 days of the date of the notice, which was issued on Wednesday, April 22.
A public hearing to hear or otherwise receive comments on the proposed intent to issue a categorical exclusion will be held if RIDOH receives requests for a meeting from 25 people or by a governmental agency by 4:3 p.m. on May 4. Requests for a public hearing should be sent to the Center for Drinking Water Quality or emailed to [email protected].
If scheduled, the hearing will be held at 1 p.m. on May 18 in the RIDOH Auditorium at Three Capitol Hill.
For more information, call RIDOH’s Center for Drinking Water Quality at (401) 222-6867
