We aim for all water bodies to be clean and accessible, and to provide high quality, affordable drinking water to all residents.
Improving the quality of our water bodies will require investments in green infrastructure and retrofits of existing infrastructure and facilities, so that all future developments follow effective stormwater management principles. Further, a commitment must be made to cross-municipal collaboration. These actions, along with continued efforts to improve our water supply infrastructure, will be crucial to ensuring that all those who depend on the watershed have universal and convenient access to water for recreation and drinking.
How Will We Get There?
Targets
Increase Cast Iron Water Main Replaced/Relined to 144 Miles by December 2030.
Increase annual net gain in trees to 200 by December 2020.
Prioritize tree plantings in frontline communities, low-canopy areas and where heat island index is high so residents can experience the cooling (electricity savings), air pollution, and water filtration benefits.
Pursue pavement reduction strategies and implement green infrastructure projects to improve water quality, stem stormwater flow, and reduce flooding.
Strategies
Expand Public Access: Maintain and expand public access to the waterfront, and
provide recreational opportunities at shorelines and on the
water for all residents and visitors.
Protect Habitat: Protect and restore buffers and habitat in and around all waterways and wetlands.
Safe Drinking Water: Promote efficient water usage practices to preserve our water supply, protect the source of our drinking water, and maintain and improve our water delivery infrastructure.
Improve Water Quality: Improve surface water quality and mitigate flooding of water bodies through strategies including robust storm-water management.
Stormwater & Green Infrastructure
When it rains, snows or hails, excess stormwater carries surface debris like litter, cigarette butts, animal waste, chemicals and more straight into our waterways. Green Infrastructure utilizes natural structures to slow the flow of stormwater while expanding healthy green space. Explore our stormwater page to learn all about stormwater solutions in Providence, find out where Green Infrastructure projects are located, sign up for a rain barrel workshop and more.
Stormwater in PVD Providence Parks Department Rhode Island Green Infrastructure Coalition
