PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island received $201,500 in federal funds to help officials conduct water-quality monitoring and alert beachgoers when conditions are unsafe, Sen. Jack F. Reed, D-R.I., announced Monday.
The funds come from the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act, which provided $9.3 million in federal funds nationwide and is administered by the Environmental Protection Agency.
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The R.I. Department of Health oversees water-quality monitoring in the state and works closely with the R.I. Department of Environmental Management, cities, towns and volunteer groups.
Last year, the program resulted in 28 closure events resulting in 73 beach closure days from May 30 through Aug. 31 due to unsafe water conditions.
“There is an old saying: ‘What gets measured gets managed.’ And these federal funds will help Rhode Island actively monitor our water quality to ensure it is safe and clean and keep the public informed,” said Reed in a statement. “Testing water quality, collecting data and publicly releasing the results keeps the government accountable for maintaining good water quality. This program ensures people are informed when temporary beach closures are warranted, and it is a smart investment in protecting public health and the health of our waterways.”
Chris Bergenheim is the PBN web editor.
