Bristol Town Beach Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP)

BETA partnered with the Town of Bristol to tackle a critical drainage improvement project at the Town beach. This endeavor was a key part of the Consent Agreement and Final Order mandated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Our goal was to enhance water quality by implementing a closed drainage system and integrating effective Best Management Practices (BMP’s). These measures aimed to eliminate Total Suspended Solids (TSS), bacteria, and the discharge of stormwater runoff from the existing beach parking lot.

The parking lot, spanning approximately three acres, had been causing uncontrolled stormwater runoff, posing a significant threat. This runoff flowed directly to a shoreline area consisting of a coastal beach and adjacent brackish/freshwater wetland. The impact was severe, with recent beach closings due to alarmingly high levels of fecal bacteria found in the water.

To combat these issues, BETA designed a cutting-edge closed drainage system, utilizing Abtech Smart Sponge Plus Ultra-Urban Filter catch basin inserts to treat bacteria and other pollutants. The closed drainage system discharges to a rip-rap swale that converted into a grassed swale with check dams.

Throughout the design phase, BETA facilitated close collaboration with key stakeholders, including the Town of Bristol, the Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM), the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) Beach Program, the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This comprehensive approach ensured that all regulatory requirements and environmental standards were met while delivering a sustainable solution.