Water Quality

In 1987, Congress amended the Clean Water Act to establish a Nonpoint Source Management Program for States, Territories and Indian Tribes (collectively referred to as States). This program, called Section 319 of the Clean Water Act, provides grants to States to assist in the implementation of their Nonpoint Source Management Programs. These funds can be used for educational and training programs, demonstration and monitoring projects, technology transfer, and administrative support.

In recent years, the New England states have used these grants to implement a variety of successful Nonpoint Source Management Programs. In Massachusetts, the North and South Rivers Watershed Association (NSRWA) used Section 319 funds to help reinstate a water quality monitoring program. The primary focus of the program was to address bacterial pollution in a watershed that had resulted in the closing of shellfish beds. In Vermont, the contamination of groundwater from septic tank discharge has become a significant and increasing problem. Vermont used Section 319 funds to survey the septic systems of homeowners in targeted watersheds. Technicians identified faulty septic systems and worked with homeowners to develop cleanup strategies. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management used Section 319 funds to help develop management strategies to control soil erosion and stormwater runoff in Rhode Island watersheds. Some of the funds were used by the Rhode Island Conservation districts to hire a full-time engineer to educate district officials about the specific soil erosion and stormwater runoff needs in their districts.

NEIWPCC has assisted our member states to implement their Section 319 funded projects by providing outreach tools and workshops. A brochure titled, "What Do You Know About Nonpoint Source Pollution?" was developed and disseminated by NEIWPCC and the Nonpoint Source Workgroup to help educate citizens about the sources and effects of this problem.