The consent decree alleged that Newport violated illegal discharges of sewage and stormwater containing bacteria and other pollutants that pose threats to human health and the environment.
Under the consent decree, Newport is required to address discharge violations at its wastewater treatment plant and eliminate overflows from its wet weather sewage treatment facilities at Wellington Avenue and Washington Street and from other points in its collection system.
The City has agreed to eliminate illegal discharges of sewage into Narragansett Bay from its wastewater treatment plant and wastewater collection system.
The City has also agreed to take actions to reduce the pollutants associated with storm sewer discharges to Easton’s Beach; purchase and distribute rain barrels to residents in order to capture stormwater for reuse.
EPA estimates that Newport will spend about $25m to address these issues.
