R.I. looks to eliminate remaining cesspools

PROVIDENCE – Gov. Gina M. Raimondo last month signed into law legislation that aims to eventually phase out cesspools in Rhode Island.

Installation of new cesspools was banned in Rhode Island 40 years ago. However, there are still about 25,000 cesspools in the state, according to the R.I. Department of Environmental Management. The legislation requires properties with existing cesspools to replace them when sold or refinanced.

The new law is an “important step” towards improving the water quality of Narragansett Bay, beaches and drinking water, Raimondo said in a statement.

While highlighting the environmental impact of the measure, Raimondo also pointed out the law’s jobs component.

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“This legislation not only protects our environment, but gets Rhode Islanders in the building trades back to work updating and modernizing our wastewater-treatment systems,” she said.

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