Environmental

ABOUT

The environmental program refers to the initiatives, policies and activities the RI National Guard uses to manage and address environmental issues and concerns. The program focuses on promoting sustainability, compliance with environmental regulations, conservation efforts, and minimizing the environmental impact of operations and activities. 

MISSION

The mission of the Rhode Island Army National Guard Environmental Program is to promote environmental stewardship at all training areas, facilities, and land used by our units, and recognize that adopting sustainable practices is critical for continued use of these resources. The Environmental Program is committed to assisting the units, soldiers, and other personnel in achieving compliance with the requirements of all applicable Federal, State, and local environmental laws and regulations, Executive Orders, and policies to benefit operational sustainment and continual improvement in environmental performance.

RHODE ISLAND ARMY NATIONAL GUARD (RIARNG)
COVENTRY NATIONAL GUARD FACILITY
DRINKING WATER PFAS SNAPSHOT

The Army National Guard is committed to ensuring quality drinking water is provided to its Soldiers, and civilians. Proactive sampling is performed by the Army National Guard on its drinking water systems. On June 27, 2022, the State of Rhode Island enacted a state law that created an interim drinking water standard of 20 parts per trillion (ppt) for six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) compounds either individually or in combination. The six PFAS compounds are perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA). To comply with the state law all community public water systems and non-transient, non-community public water systems must test their water for PFAS by July 1, 2023. The RIARNG began proactively testing for the six PFAS compounds regulated by Rhode Island in December 2022 with additional rounds in March and July 2023.

Drinking Water Status: The RIARNG utilizes a blended drinking water system at the Coventry National Guard Facility. The drinking water system receives water from four on-site source wells. The water from the four wells is pumped to a holding tank prior to entry to the pump house where it is treated. Finished drinking water is the treated water that is distributed from the pump house to the facility buildings for consumption. The December 2022 testing results of the finished drinking water indicated the presence of a combination of some of the six PFAS compounds regulated by Rhode Island above the interim standard of 20 ppt. The RIARNG responded by shutting down the well suspected to be the primary cause of the exceedance. The drinking water system continues to operate utilizing the three remaining wells. Bottled water was and continues to be provided to facility soldiers and civilians. The July 2023 testing results of the finished drinking water indicated the presence of a combination of some of the six PFAS compounds regulated by Rhode Island below the interim standard of 20 ppt. The RIARNG will continue to monitor the finished drinking water on a quarterly basis and provide bottled water to facility soldiers and civilians until further notice.

Test Date: 1) December 13, 2022 2) March 24, 2023 3) July 14, 2023

Rhode Island 6 PFAS Compound Total Results: 1) 31.9 ppt 2) 10.1 ppt 3) 10.4 ppt

Future Testing Event: September 2023

Type of Drinking Water System: Army National Guard-owned

For Questions Contact: Rhode Island National Guard State Public Affairs Office

Office E-mail Address: ng.ri.riarng.mbx.ri-joc@mail.mil

Water Quality Reports: A water quality report is not required for this location.