Groundwater Protection
Our drinking water is North Smithfield’s most precious resource. While expert bodies like the URI Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials (NEMO) and our own Groundwater Protection Committee have raised the alarm about industrial threats, their recommendations have frequently met with political opposition. This page tracks the town’s struggle to maintain a "hospital zone without hospitals"—an ordinance that exists in name but lacks the power to regulate potential violators.
The Fight for Water Security: A Timeline
2023: The "Hospital Zone" Analogy
May 2023: Lorraine Joubert of URI NEMO addressed the Town Council regarding the 2020 exemption of industrial and commercial areas from the Water Supply Overlay District. She compared the policy to "having a hospital zone but prohibiting hospitals," noting that exempting the very businesses most likely to cause contamination rendered the rule ineffective. This exemption directly benefited controversial industrial expansions like Material Sampling Technologies (MST).
December 2023: After heavy pressure from the Water Supply Review Committee, the Town Council finally amended the ordinance. The new rules required businesses to go before the Planning Board for hazardous material reviews and allowed for expert hydrologists to study local water flow. Councilman Beauregard opposed these common-sense protections.
2024: Advocacy and Reform
January 2024: The Water Supply Review Committee was formally transitioned into the Groundwater Protection Committee (GPC). Its mission was expanded to provide ongoing outreach, education, and advocacy regarding North Smithfield’s environmental hazards
2025: Committee Resignations and Political Friction
July – August 2025: Two dedicated committee members resigned in quick succession. They cited a pattern of town officials being hesitant to listen to expert recommendations and suffering from poor communication.
August 2025: In response to the loss of these experts, Councilwoman DeCristofaro proposed an initiative to better support town volunteers and enhance engagement between the Council and its advisory boards.
September 2025: The GPC presented a new Strategic Plan aimed at using data-driven policy to advise the Planning Board. Councilman Beauregard again opposed this vision, arguing that the committee was overstepping its initial mission.
Groundwater protection shouldn't be a political debate—it’s a public health necessity. When we ignore the experts we appoint, we put every well in North Smithfield at risk.
How You Can Help:
Email the Council: Demand that the town council accept the Groundwater Protection Committee’s recommendations, or provide clear, evidence-based reasons why they will not.
Attend meetings: Attend meetings of the Groundwater Protection Committee and the Town Council to advocate for protecting our drinking water.
Vote: In November, cast your vote for candidates who will prioritize our environmental needs and listen to experts.