DEM announces waterways to reopen for shellfishing after sewage discharge, no contact recommendation lifted

PROVIDENCE, RI – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and Rhode Island Department of Health has announced that the closure of the Lower Providence River conditional shellfish area, Area 16E, has ended and will first reopen to commercial shellfish harvest at 7:00 a.m. on Monday, May 18th. DEM and RIDOH have completed required water and shellfish testing and test results have met national standards for safe shellfish harvest.

Additionally, the closure of the Mt. Hope Bay shellfish growing area 17 has also ended and has reopened to shellfish harvest today.

Following the sewage discharge event, RIDOH had advised the public to avoid all direct contact with the water in Watchemoket Cove. While there are no licensed, swimmable beaches in this area, RIDOH is no longer recommending that people avoid all direct contact with the water in this area.

A break in a 20-inch forced main pipe near the East Bay Bike Path had resulted in approximately 800,000 gallons of untreated sewage discharging into the Providence River in the area of Watchemoket Cove.

DEM was also notified that approximately 5,000 gallons of untreated sewage was accidentally discharged from the Mt. Hope Pump Station and entered the waters of Mt. Hope Bay.

DEM, RIDOH, the RI Coastal Resources Management Council, and shellfishing partners work together to maintain RI’s reputation for high-quality shellfish through careful monitoring and stewardship. This monitoring enables a quick response when conditions indicate a change in water quality.