January 1-7, 2003

Phillipsdale Landing

Overall, water quality at Phillipsdale Landing was good this week. ​Weather conditions were moderately wet, with 0.93 inches of precipitation recorded at T.F. Green over the course of the week. The largest rain events occurred on January 3rd (0.35 inches) and 4th (0.32 inches). Blackstone River flow increased all week, remaining above historical 18-year median flow rates. Salinity at the surface at Phillipsdale was low all week, while bottom salinity varied with the tide. Surface salinity averaged 3.6 ppt and ranged from 1.9 ppt to 5.6 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 16.9 ppt and ranged from 3.0 ppt to 29.5 ppt. Temperatures increased slightly over the week, averaging 5.3°C at the surface and ranging 3.6°C – 6.5°C. At the bottom, temperatures averaged 5.3°C and ranged 4.5°C – 6.1°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) at Phillipsdale Landing remained above the hypoxia threshold of 2.9 mg/L throughout the week. Surface DO averaged 11.9 mg/L and ranged 11.4 – 12.5 mg/L. Bottom DO concentrations averaged 10.6 mg/L and ranged from 8.7 mg/L to 12.8 mg/L. Chlorophyll readings remained low, averaging 2.0 ug/L at the surface and 2.2 ug/L at the bottom. Maximum chlorophyll at the surface reached just 3.2 ug/L this week. Please note that tidal fluctuations and Blackstone River flows greatly influence water column salinity, temperature, and DO at this location. 

Bullock Reach 

Bullock Reach sondes will be deployed later this spring for the 2023 monitoring season. 

Docket NO: 22-47-WW: General Rate Filing

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

IN RE: NARRAGANSETT BAY COMMISSION DOCKET NO: 22-47-WW

APPLICATION TO CHANGE RATE SCHEDULES

NOTICE OF FILING AND CHANGE IN RATE SCHEDULES On November 4, 2022, pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws § 39-3-11 and Part 5 of the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, the Narragansett Bay Commission (“NBC”) hereby gives notice that it has filed an application to increase its rates with the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission (“Commission”). In its filing, NBC seeks to implement a multi-year rate plan that would increase rates in five phases. In the first phase of the increase, proposed to take effect on December 5, 2022, NBC’s proposed rates are designed to collect additional operating revenue in the amount of $11,257,959 to support a total revenue requirement of $115,574,327. The impact of the proposal will be an across-the-board increase of 11.11% on all residential and non-residential rates. For an average residential customer, using 150 gallons of water per day, the request will result in an increase of $57.69 in their annual bill from $519.17 to $576.86. The impact of the rate increase on all other customers will vary depending upon the customer’s classification and consumption. In the second phase of the increase, proposed to take effect on July 1 2024, NBC’s proposed rates are designed to collect additional operating revenue in the amount of $8,735,691 to support a total revenue requirement of $124,310,018. The impact of the proposal will be an across-the-board increase of 7.76% on all residential and non-residential rates. For an average residential customer, using 150 gallons of water per day, the request will result in an increase of $44.77 in their annual bill from $576.86 to $621.63. The impact of the rate increase on all other customers will vary depending upon the customer’s classification and consumption. In the third phase of the increase, proposed to take effect on July 1 2025, NBC’s proposed rates are designed to collect additional operating revenue in the amount of $3,103,269 to support a total revenue requirement of $127,413,287. The impact of the proposal will be an across-the-board increase of 2.56% on all residential and non-residential rates. For an average residential customer, using 150 gallons of water per day, the request will result in an increase of $15.90 in their annual bill from $621.63 to $637.53. The impact of the rate increase on all other customers will vary depending upon the customer’s classification and consumption. In the fourth phase of the increase, proposed to take effect on July 1 2026, NBC’s proposed rates are designed to collect additional operating revenue in the amount of $2,112,378 to support a total revenue requirement of $129,525,665. The impact of the proposal will be an across-the-board increase of 1.70% on all residential and non-residential rates. For an average residential customer, using 150 gallons of water per day, the request will result in an increase of $10.83 in their annual bill from $637.53 to $648.36. The impact of the rate increase on all other customers will vary depending upon the customer’s classification and consumption. In the fifth phase of the increase, proposed to take effect on July 1 2027, NBC’s proposed rates are designed to collect additional operating revenue in the amount of $5,776,999 to support a total revenue requirement of $135,302,663. The impact of the proposal will be an across-the-board increase of 4.57% on all residential and non-residential rates. For an average residential customer, using 150 gallons of water per day, the request will result in an increase of $29.60 in their annual bill from $648.36 to $677.96. The impact of the rate increase on all other customers will vary depending upon the customer’s classification and consumption. Please note that while NBC is requesting this revenue increase, the Commission, after full investigation and hearings, may order a different revenue increase and rates.

While the new rates in the first phase of the increase are proposed to become effective December 5, 2022, the Commission can suspend the rates for up to eight months from the proposed effective date. No rate change will take effect until the Commission has conducted a full investigation and hearing on the proposal. The Commission will publish a notice of the hearing dates when they are scheduled. Ratepayers may comment on the proposed rate increases at that time.

A copy of the application is on file for examination at the NBC’s office One Service Road, Providence, Rhode Island and at the offices of the Public Utilities Commission, 89 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, Rhode Island, and can be accessed at https://ripuc.ri.gov/Docket-22-47-WW. A copy of the filing was also provided to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Department, Consumer Division.

Narragansett Bay Commission

One Service Road

Providence, Rhode Island 02905

APPLICATIONS FOR EARTH DAY CLEAN UP GRANTS ARE DUE FEBRUARY 15!

NBC has announced the 2023 round of grants for Earth Day Community Clean-Ups.

In 2003, NBC Chairman Vincent Mesolella established the Chairman’s River Restoration Initiative for the Woonasquatucket River. In 2013, the Chairman’s River Restoration Initiative expanded to include support to other community organizations who would like to pursue their own Earth Day River and Lake Cleanups, restoration or beautification projects. Annually, the NBC offers grants ranging from $250 up to $1000 to community groups in the NBC service area. From 2013-2022, grantees galvanized over 10,000 volunteers to make a difference for clean water in their communities.

The goal of the NBC 2023 Earth Day River Cleanup Grant Program is to continue on the previous years’ successes and emphasize the importance of Earth Day 2023, the value of the environment, and provide assistance to organizations improving the quality of life in their communities. We encourage all applicants to abide by current guidelines regarding PPE and social distancing. The grant application is available here. The deadline is February 15, 2023.

December 25-31, 2022

Nutrient samples were collected from seven local river stations and one bay station on December 28th; additional bay sampling was cancelled due to freezing temperatures. The lone bay station (Phillipsdale Landing) was sampled at the surface and bottom. Leading up to sampling, there were 1.17 inches total precipitation recorded at T.F. Green on the 23rd and no precipitation on the 24th – 27th.

Among the river stations sampled, the highest total nitrogen (TN), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) concentrations were observed at Pawtuxet River @ Broad St. (TN = 1,580 ppb, TDN = 1,710 ppb, DIN = 1,350 ppb). The lowest TN was observed at Woonasquatucket River @ Valley St. (TN = 651 ppb); the lowest TDN and DIN were observed Woonasquatucket River @ Manton Ave. Bridge (TDN = 680 ppb, DIN = 463 ppb).

At the one bay station sampled, Phillipsdale Landing, surface TN was 1,130 ppb, surface TDN was 1,160 ppb, and surface DIN was 899 ppb.

Data from additional sampling dates (typically every two weeks) are pending analysis and writeup.

November 27-December 3, 2022

On Wednesday, November 30th, the crew of the R/V Monitor was out on the upper Bay collecting nutrients samples, taking Secchi Disk water clarity measurements, conducting water column profiles using a profiling sonde, and conducting real-time surface mapping of water quality parameters, including dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll, water temperature, salinity, and pH, all in an effort to document water quality improvements associated with NBC construction projects. Jeffrey captained the boat while monitoring professionals Fern, Gerard and Steve collected the samples and data. It was a sunny and brisk day with no wind and calm waters. The featured photo from our archives shows ProvPort from the east.​

Week of October 2 – 8, 2022

​Phillipsdale Landing

​Sondes were swapped for routine maintenance during the morning on October 4th. Overall, water quality at Phillipsdale Landing was good this week. Weather conditions were moderately wet, with 1.28 inches of rainfall recorded at T.F. Green. The Blackstone River flow increased above the 17-year median flow rate towards the end of the week. Salinity at the surface averaged 21.0 ppt and ranged from 8.9 ppt – 26.3 ppt. At the bottom, salinity averaged 26.0 ppt and ranged from 19.3 ppt – 29.8 ppt. Temperatures cooled this week, averaging 16.6°C at the surface and 17.1°C at the bottom. Surface temperatures ranged from 15.1°C to 19.5°C, while bottom temperatures ranged from 15.4°C to 18.9°C.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) has increased at Phillipsdale Landing, with the surface and bottom waters above the hypoxia threshold (i.e., DO >2.9 mg/L) throughout the week. Bottom water DO concentration averaged 5.7 mg/L and ranged from 3.8 mg/L to 7.0 mg/L. Surface DO was higher, averaging 6.5 mg/L and ranging 4.7 – 8.3 mg/L. Chlorophyll concentrations were low, averaging 2.8 ug/L at the surface and 2.3 ug/L at the bottom. Maximum surface chlorophyll readings reached just 7.5 ug/L, recorded on the morning of October 2nd and afternoon on October 7th. Please note that tidal fluctuations and Blackstone River flows greatly influence water column salinity, temperature, and DO at this location. 

Bullock Reach  

Overall, water quality was good at Bullock Reach this week. Salinity averaged 29.0 ppt, 29.9 ppt, and 31.4 ppt at the surface, middle, and bottom sondes, respectively. Surface salinity ranged 26.3 – 30.2 ppt, mid salinity ranged 28.4 – 31.4 ppt, and bottom salinity ranged 29.4 – 32.3 ppt. Temperatures decreased from the previous week. Surface temperature averaged 16.8°C and ranged from 15.8°C to 18.0°C. Mid temperatures averaged 16.8°C and ranged from 16.2°C to 18.1°C. Bottom temperatures averaged 16.9°C and ranged from 16.2°C to 18.6°C.

DO concentrations at Bullock Reach remained above the hypoxia threshold all week. Surface DO averaged 7.4 mg/L and ranged 6.2 – 8.9 mg/L. In the mid waters, DO averaged 7.3 mg/L and ranged 6.2 – 8.3 mg/L. At the bottom, DO averaged 7.0 mg/L and ranged 5.7– 7.5 mg/L. Chlorophyll concentrations were low all week. Overall, chlorophyll averaged 3.0 ug/L, 4.0 ug/L, and 1.8 ug/L at the surface, mid, and bottom waters, respectively. The maximum surface chlorophyll reading was 6.2 ug/L on October 7th.

September 25 – October 1, 2022

​The boat crew conducted benthic video surveys along the Bullock Reach, Edgewood, and Sabin transects on September 29, 2022. Scale lasers were used in the footage at Bullock Reach and Sabin, separated by 29 cm. Visibility through the water column was inconsistent at all transects, ranging from poor to fair; fine observations were difficult in some areas. The bottom of all sites was characterized by sands and muds. All sites hosted dense patches of shell hash and rubble, occasional boulders and cobbles were also spotted at Edgewood. Algal coverage was diverse this week. Sabin featured large mats of branching red algae (dominant), Ulva, and red sheet-like algae. Bullock Reach also exhibited some dense areas of branching red algae, in addition to smaller patches of Ulva and red sheet-like algae. Edgewood had little algae coverage. All sites hosted dense diatom felt. General biotic activity was high at all sites as noted by extensive tracks and trails. Rare benthic video sights included many small schools of juvenile black sea bass (all sites), mantis shrimp Squilla (Sabin), horseshoe crabs (Sabin and Edgewood), flat fish (Bullock Reach), and a sea robin (Sabin). Infaunal activity was moderate; many large burrows (likely from Squilla) and small burrows (all sites), as well as some small tube-building fauna (Sabin and Bullock Reach). Common observations were spider crabs (Bullock Reach), boring sponges (all sites), hermit crabs (Edgewood and Bullock Reach), slipper snail Crepidula (all sites), Nassariid mudsnails (Bullock Reach), spaghetti worms (Edgewood and Sabin), blue crabs (Edgewood and Sabin, photo below), as well as large colonies of mermaid’s glove sponges and red bearded sponges (Sabin). Amphipod tube mats were not observed.​

2020 Earth Day Clean Up Grants Available

The Narragansett Bay Commission (NBC) is offering grants ranging from $250 up to $1,000 for local Earth Day River and Lake Cleanups, restoration or beautification projects for areas located within the NBC service area or along NBC receiving waters. The goal of the NBC 2020 Earth Day River Cleanup Grant Program is to clean up our important environmental resources by providing funding assistance to local organizations restoring and improving the green spaces in their communities.

The grants may be used for Earth Day volunteer cleanup projects of green spaces and river, lake and pond cleanup projects located within the NBC service district or along NBC receiving waters. Projects that include an educational component to educate volunteers about some aspect of the environment, environmental restoration, protection are preferred. All sections of the grant application, including the project description form must be completed. Applications must be accompanied with an invoice on organizational letterhead with the grant award total request listed. The invoice must have the letterhead of your organization. Any incomplete grant application forms received will not be considered. Only one application per project will be considered, and projects must be completed no later than August 31, 2020. The range of funding for any single project shall be between $250 and $1,000, depending upon the number of applicants and funding availability.

Application forms are available here and are due by February 21, 2020.

Narragansett Bay Commission Limits Public Access in Response to Coronavirus

The Narragansett Bay Commission (NBC) has limited access to its offices to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Beginning Monday, March 16, 2020, NBC will restrict customer and visitor access to all NBC facilities, including the corporate office at One Service Road, Providence, until further notice.

While the corporate office is closed, customers are encouraged to call Customer Service at (401) 461-8828 or email cs@narrabay.com.  Customers may also visit the agency’s website at www.narrabay.com for on-line bill payment and account management. All transactions except the acceptance of cash payments and site visits can be completed through NBC’s automated phone service or on-line.

During this time, NBC will suspend water service terminations and collection calls arising from non-payment.

NBC is committed to its environmental and public health mission to deliver safe and reliable wastewater collections and treatment service, while protecting the health of its employees and customers.

More information is available from the Centers for Disease Control and the Rhode Island Department of Health.

For additional information about coronavirus and water safety, visit www.epa.gov/coronavirus/coronavirus-and-drinking-water-and-wastewater

Don’t Flush! No Tirar en el Inodoro!

The Narragansett Bay Commission encourages everyone to refrain from flushing disposable wipes. The wipes do not dissolve in water and can lead to unpleasant toilet back-ups as well as larger sewer system issues.

Only the 3 Ps should go in the toilet: pee, poo, and (toilet) paper.

Please see these Spanish and English language flyers explaining why #WipesClogPipes.

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