
Water Resources
Our Mission
Rivers, lakes, and coastal waters will support healthy communities of fish, plants, and other aquatic life, and will support uses such as fishing, swimming, and drinking water quality.
Groundwater will be uncontaminated.
Wetlands will be protected and rehabilitated to provide wildlife habitat, reduce floods, and to improve water quality.
Public health will be protected from the adverse impacts of water pollution.
Public Notices & Upcoming Events
Quick Links
- Permitting
- Professional Licensing
- Research & Monitoring
- Waters & Wetlands
- Financial Assistance
- Outreach & Education
- PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) in Water
- Aquatic Invasive Species
- Cyanobacteria (Blue-Green Algae)
- Bay Water Quality Report (BART)
- Nonpoint Source Pollution
- Nonpoint Source Implementation Grants, Targeted Watersheds
- SepticSmart Homeowners
- Water Topics A-Z
- OWR Staff List and Contacts
- Rules & Regulations
OWR Online Application Portal
DEM has launched a new online permit application portal for Groundwater and Freshwater Protection Programs. Applicants can now manage applications for Freshwater Wetlands, RIPDES Construction General Permit, Water Quality Certification, and Underground Injection Control Programs in this system. OWR/Septic applications will be launched in a second phase of this project on May 20.
OWR Application Portal Login User Guides and Resources
Office of Water Resources
Quick Links
- General Permitting Information
- Septic / Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS)
- Stormwater Permitting
- RI Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (RIPDES)
- Freshwater Wetlands
- Groundwater Discharge (GWD) & Underground Injection Control (UIC)
- Water Quality Certification
- Wastewater Treatment Facilities
- Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF)
- Nonpoint Source Funding
- Wastewater Treatment Facility Resilience
- Marine Pumpouts: Boat Sewage Grants
- Narragansett Bay and Water Restoration Fund (BWRF)
- Flood Prevention
- Community Septic System Loans (CSSLP)
- Sewer Tie in Loan Fund (STILF)
- Additional Financial Assistance Programs