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The Portsmouth Water and Fire District is a quasi-municipal agency created by the RI General Assembly in 1952. The district is responsible for providing drinking water and water for fire protection for approximately ninety percent of Portsmouth on Aquidneck Island. The district is governed by a sevenmember elected administrative board and holds an annual election of officers. Although the district is not affiliated legally or administratively with the Town of Portsmouth, the district and town work cooperatively to best serve their common constituents.
The original district was known as the Island Park and Common Fence Point Fire District and its water distribution system was constructed in the mid 1950's. In 1956, the name of the district was changed to the Portsmouth Water and Fire District. In 1965, the district boundaries were changed to include the south end of Portsmouth. The water distribution system was expanded to cover this area in the mid to late 1960's.
The areas known as Island Park and Common Fence Point were predominandy summer residential neighborhoods along the water. The lots were small, relied on cesspools for wastewater disposal and had individual and community wells for drinking water. The creation of the district was prompted by well water contamination and the need for fire protection for the closely located houses.
Portsmouth is the northern most town on Aquidneck Island. The island also includes the Town of Middletown, City of Newport and Naval Station Newport. Portsmouth is bordered on the west by Narragansett Bay, on the east by the Sakonnet River, on the north by Mount Fiope Bay and to the south by Middletown.
SOURCES OF SUPPLY
The district does not own any water supplies, but purchases its regular water supply on a wholesale basis from the City of Newport and relies on the Stone Bridge Fire District in Tiverton for emergency water supply.
Newport Supply
The water from Newport is treated at the Lawton Valley Water Treatment Plant in Portsmouth. On occasion, the water may be treated at the Station One Water Treatment Plant in Newport. Newport Water draws its raw water supply from a system of nine surface water reservoirs:
* Lawton...