Bonnie Van Slyke On The Issue Of Clean Water

Keeping the water that flows beneath the ground (groundwater) clean is one of the most important issues facing Charlestown—not only because it is the source of our drinking water, but also because its deterioration will affect the health of our saltwater ponds and inland lakes. In the discussion below I have included possible solutions that include both sides of the debate and then state my position below that.

Concerns:
Clean water—the sole source of our drinking water—is essential to the health and well-being of every person in Charlestown. Our groundwater is the only economical source of our drinking water. Our water is vulnerable to pollution from many sources, including septic systems, storm water runoff from roads and other hard surfaces, and saltwater intrusion. Nitrate from septic systems leaching into the groundwater is the primary threat.

In the past, establishing a Wastewater Management District and our zoning regulations have:

• Directed development away from wetlands to areas where it is appropriate.
• Conserved land (open space), not just for recreation, but to clean water and allow recharge of aquifers.

Recent state legislation has, however, stripped away local control over how and where growth occurs.

Possible Solutions:
Resist state legislation so that the town can continue protecting our groundwater through careful development management and strong wastewater controls, or accept state mandates and face the need to install water supply and sewer systems in the future at enormous cost to taxpayers.

Risks:
Development of land in ways that cannot be environmentally sustained over time will affect our health and quality of life and could force RI DEM to require costly municipal infrastructure that will cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars.

My position:
I encourage town leaders to work with state legislators to amend recent legislation so that our town can protect our water and grow in a way that is economically and environmentally sustainable over time.

Bonnie Van Slyke, the author of this post, is a candidate for Town Council in the December 2, 2025 election. She was a member of the Charlestown Town Council from 2014 to 2022. She was the Town Council Liaison to the Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, and Senior Citizens Commission. She is a former officer and member of the Board of Directors of the Frosty Drew Observatory & Science Center, a former Chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals in Harvard, MA and a former member of the Board of Trustees of the Harvard Conservation Trust. Bonnie is a freelance copy editor, technical writer, and publications specialist. You can learn more about Bonnie on her profile page.