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.

Draft Mashapaug Watershed General Permit

Mashapaug Pond, the largest freshwater body in Providence, has been off-limits for recreational use due to contamination from stormwater runoff. DEM is issuing a new Stormwater Permit, which includes Mashapaug, Spectacle, and Tongue Ponds in the Cities of Cranston and Providence, to prevent and reduce pollution from runoff in the watershed.