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Residents warn of strained water supply as council approves sole-source update to clean-water report
Summary
Residents and councilors raised concerns about North Kingstown's groundwater and aging infrastructure; the council approved a sole-source contract with Wright Pierce to update the town's five-year clean water infrastructure report ahead of an August submission deadline.
Kurt Fisher, a North Kingstown resident and former town public works official, told the Town Council that the town faces "serious problems this summer if we have a very dry summer," saying years of overpumping had damaged wells and risked contamination.
The warning came during public comment and was followed by a staff explanation that North Kingstown must update its clean water infrastructure report to the state every five years. Alan (Water Department staff) told the council, "we submit that every 5 years, with the state," and said Wright Pierce, which prepared the prior 2020 study, is positioned to update that report on a shortened timeline.
Town Manager Ralph told the council the town could refuse outside water requests if local supply were insufficient, saying the previously recommended agreement lets the town say no to requests from neighboring Jamestown when needed. He stressed staff would come to the council before approving any outside-supply request.
At the consent agenda, the council approved a sole-source contract for Wright Pierce to prepare the required state update to the clean water infrastructure replacement report. Staff said Wright Pierce did the 2020 assessment and can complete the update in time for an August submission; the contract was approved under a sole-source finding based on that continuity and timing.
The council and staff also discussed infrastructure priorities: several 1939-era water mains were cited as near-term replacement candidates, and town officials said they monitor well levels via SCADA and report annual usage to the state Water Resources Board. Staff urged enforcement of water-conservation measures during peak summer demand.
The council did not vote on new water‑supply policy at the meeting; officials said any request from Jamestown or other outside users would return to the council for explicit approval before staff could commit town water.
Council action on the clean water report update means the town will proceed with Wright Pierce's update work with the aim of meeting the state deadline; staff noted the effort is part of ongoing infrastructure planning to reduce the risk of summer shortages and to prioritize aging mains for replacement.
