One Storm Away: How climate change is threatening drinking water on the Ocean State’s islands

South Easton’s pond provides residents with recreational opportunities and habitat for birds, while serving as one of Aquidneck’s main drinking water sources. Credit: Olivia Ebertz / The Public's Radio
South and North Easton’s ponds provide a majority of Aquidneck Island’s drinking water. The ponds are low-lying and surrounded by homes. “We see a lot of lawn fertilizer and chemicals coming into the water from stormwater runoff,” said Newport Spokesperson Tom Shevlin. Credit: Olivia Ebertz / The Public's Radio
The Block Island Water Company continues to operate out of the same property it has since the 1800s– but with a vastly updated reverse osmosis system. Credit: Olivia Ebertz / The Public's Radio
Due to climate change-caused issues like increased algal blooms in North and South Easton ponds, the Newport Utilities Superintendent Robert Schultz says Newport has had to spend more money on treatment to compensate for the ponds’ “personality.” Credit: Olivia Ebertz / The Public's Radio
Dr. Anne Kuhn-Hines works for the EPA and sits on the Jamestown Conservation Commission. She said Conanicut island is so low-lying that during a series of winter storms in 2023, “the island was broken into three pieces for about eight hours.” Credit: Olivia Ebertz / The Public's Radio
Due to a growing summer tourist population and expanding community, Block Island water superintendent John Breunig said the Water Resources Board purchased a large plot of land that hadn’t been developed except for a WWII-era u-boat lookout tower. Credit: Olivia Ebertz / The Public's Radio

The islands of Aquidneck, Conanicut and Prudence all face threats to their drinking water from climate change and aging infrastructure. With rising seas and more extreme weather, the risks are worsening. Disconnected from the mainland, each island is searching for solutions they hope won’t crumble under the next big storm. And what they learn may give the rest of Rhode Island clues about what’s to come.

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Climate change is threatening Prudence Island’s drinking water

More extreme weather patterns and aging infrastructure could hamper the Prudence Island Water District’s ability to provide its customers with fresh drinking water.
by Olivia Ebertz |
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How climate change will affect Rhode Island’s drinking water, and how we can better prepare

Improving water systems is a key way we can better adapt to climate change, according to Brown oceanographer Baylor Fox-Kemper.
by Jeremy Bernfeld |
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Jamestown has a drinking water problem. Could it have been avoided?

In using strict conservation methods to protect its finite water resources, Jamestown has created a system where some residents lack clean drinking water and homes they can sell, rent, or live in.
by Olivia Ebertz |
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Olivia Ebertz

Metro Desk Reporter

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Jeremy Bernfeld

Senior Editor for Investigations