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WATER AND DOWLING VILLAGE Chris Covel, Geologist 5-25-05. SIMPLIFIED EXPRESSION OF THE WATER BALANCE EQUATION OF HYDROLOGY. P = T+R+I+E+S P — PRECIPITATION T — TRANSPIRATION R — RUNOFF I — INFILTRATION E — EVAPORATION S — STORAGE.
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WATER AND DOWLING VILLAGEChris Covel,Geologist5-25-05 Covel & Associates, LLC
SIMPLIFIED EXPRESSION OF THE WATER BALANCE EQUATION OF HYDROLOGY P = T+R+I+E+S P — PRECIPITATION T — TRANSPIRATION R — RUNOFF I — INFILTRATION E — EVAPORATION S — STORAGE Covel & Associates, LLC
Developments such as Dowling Village will put this equation out of equilibrium by paving over large areas. Paving also presents a potential problem, if the runoff is contaminated. Assume Precipitation average remains the same: Transpiration will decrease Runoff will increase Infiltration will decrease Evaporation will increase Storage will decrease P = T+ R+ I+ E+ S Covel & Associates, LLC
The site is in a wellhead protection area. Covel & Associates, LLC
The land is currently forested. The drinking water is considered under moderate threat of contamination. If the land is largely paved, water contamination will increase to high threat. See next page. Covel & Associates, LLC
The area has 21 acres of wetlands. Covel & Associates, LLC
University of Rhode IslandLorraine Joubert, Program DirectorURI Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officesletter dated 26-Apr-05 to Paul Dupuis, N. Smithfield Cons. Com. • “If any portion of the commercial development is determined to be within the drinking water supply watershed, then the potential impact to water quantity and quality is a serious concern.” • “Reservoir 1 is currently rated at ‘moderate’ risk of contamination, increasing to a ‘high’ risk rating with future development based on current zoning.” Covel & Associates, LLC
University of Rhode IslandLorraine Joubert, Program DirectorURI Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officesletter dated 26-Apr-05 to Paul Dupuis, N. Smithfield Cons. Com. • “Reduce the extent of land disturbance permitted on the parcel to retain naturally vegetated areas for stormwater infiltration and filtering of sediment, phosphorus and other pollutants.” Covel & Associates, LLC
University of Rhode IslandLorraine Joubert, Program DirectorURI Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officesletter dated 26-Apr-05 to Paul Dupuis, N. Smithfield Cons. Com. • “The focus should be on controlling runoff volume and providing a very high level of treatment for sediment and phosphorus.” Covel & Associates, LLC
University of Rhode IslandLorraine Joubert, Program DirectorURI Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officesletter dated 26-Apr-05 to Paul Dupuis, N. Smithfield Cons. Com. • “Rhode Island towns have the authority to hire consulting professionals to assist in review of land development projects to minimize the burden on town staff and provide specialized expertise, using land development application fees to cover the expense.” • “This may include…analysis of water quality impacts” Covel & Associates, LLC
University of Rhode IslandLorraine Joubert, Program DirectorURI Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officesletter dated 26-Apr-05 to Paul Dupuis, N. Smithfield Cons. Com. • “Certainly verifying the exact location of any proposed development project relative to the watershed boundaries and direction of water flow to and from the site would be a priority at the earliest stages of project review.” Covel & Associates, LLC
Bedrock Aquifer Discussion • Major bedrock lineaments. • Three different bedrock contacts. Town of North Smithfield’s Comprehensive Plan Five-Year Update 2005, Section G-3.1.4 Surface and Groundwater Water Resources refers to OVERBURDEN aquifers only - no BEDROCK discussion Covel & Associates, LLC
These lineament fractures also suggest this is a good location for groundwater. Covel & Associates, LLC
Bedrock Aquifer Discussion If the bedrock aquifers had been mapped, this site would have been identified as a potential bedrock water supply source. Proposed development of this area threatens existing and/or future water supply wells in the site vicinity with potential contamination. Covel & Associates, LLC
Contaminant Threats • NaCl (salt) – parking lot • MTBE (Methyl-T-Butyl-Ether) – gasoline additive, parking lot • Other Petroleum runoff – parking lot • Phosphorus – fertilizer • Nitrogen – fertilizer • ANFO (Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil) – blasting agent Covel & Associates, LLC
The land is proposed to be mixed use, with large-scale retail. Covel & Associates, LLC
The site has steep slopes and plentiful bedrock. Covel & Associates, LLC