Department of Utilities
The Department of Utilities includes two divisions: the Newport Water Division, which manages the drinking water system throughout Newport, Middletown, and Portsmouth, and the Water Pollution Control Division, which manages Newport’s sewer and stormwater systems.
Newport Water Division
Drinking Water System
The drinking water system is essential to the water cycle as it sources, treats, and delivers clean, safe water for consumption and daily use. This system draws water from our nine water supply reservoirs and transports it to our water treatment plants. There, the water is properly filtered, treated, and tested hourly to ensure it meets or exceeds all state and federal water quality standards before being distributed throughout Aquidneck Island to reach your tap.
NWD Programs & Services
Water Pollution Control Division
Sewer System
The sanitary sewer system plays a crucial role in the water cycle by managing wastewater from households, businesses, and industries. The system ensures sewage and used water from sinks, showers, and other sources are safely collected and transported to our wastewater treatment plant. There, wastewater generated across Aquidneck Island is cleaned, treated, and tested to ensure all harmful contaminants are removed before being returned to the environment.
Stormwater System
The stormwater system is essential for managing stormwater runoff and controlling flooding, playing a vital role in the water cycle. The system collects and transports excess runoff through catch basins, bioretention systems, culverts, and pipes before returning it to local waters. The rainfall that collects in the Newport Water Division reservoirs crucially contributes to our raw water supply.