Sakonnet Point Club Seeking Changes In Pollutant Discharge Elimination System

The Sakonnet Point Club is asking the state Department of Environmental Management (DEM) for a modification to its existing Rhode Island Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.

The club is looking to change from a reverse osmosis drinking water treatment system to a new outfall stucture which is proposed to be installed in and discharge to the Sakonnet Harbor. The discharge, according to DEM, will be identical to that which is was previously approved to to discharge into the bay - consisting of brackish effluent. Any discharge of cleaning or sanitizing chemicals is expressly prohibited and the DEM permit contains effluent limitations and conditions to ensure that the discharge would not violate water quality standards, according to a notice sent to Sakonnet Point Club abutters in Little Compton on Oct. 11.

Objections to the issuance of a Water Quality Certification for the proposed project must be submitted in writing to the DEM as they relate to impacts to surface water quality from the proposed project activity.

"Each dock space in the [Sakonnet Point] Marina is owned privately." said Mimi Karlsson, of the Sakonnet Point Marina in an Oct. 5 email. "These spaces cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, and the boats docked there are also very valuable. Surely each condo-dock owner as well
as the Marina, Inc. should be notified of all the concentrated electrolytes, with their enormous corrosion potential for their docks/boats/boat machinery, being disposed of in their location and be permitted to comment."

The DEM originally failed to notify the marina regarding the change in its discharge permit.

A public hearing to consider the requested permit is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 20 at 5 p.m. in Room 280 of 235 Promenade St., Providence.

For more information about the draft permit, contact Brian D. Lafaille, PE, at the R.I. Dept. of Environmental Management, Office of Water Resources, RIPDES Permitting Program, 401-222-4700, Ext. 7731, or email brian.lafaille@dem.ri.gov.