Three dozen islanders and three Environmental Protection Agency employees gathered at the Jamestown Library to participate in a discussion about Jamestown being declared a sole source aquifer on Wednesday, Feb. 13.

The night began with a presentation by Doug Heath, a member of the EPA, about what a sole source aquifer is. A sole source aquifer is a location where at least 50 percent of the drinking water comes from a single source. In addition, if that sole source should be contaminated it must be physically, legally, and economically unfeasible to replace that water from another source, Heath said.

According to Heath, Jamestown meets these criteria. The entire island north of Route 138 is dependant upon well water. Newport, North Kingstown, and United Water in South Kingstown have responded to inquires that they would not be able to supply Jamestown's water needs except on a short-term basis. Also, the cost of installing the equipment to supply the North End with town water is prohibitive, Heath added.

If Jamestown does become a sole source aquifer then the EPA would only become involved if a large, federally-funded, partially or otherwise, project is undertaken anywhere on the island. These types of projects can involve major highway construction and airports. Heath added the major direct benefits to Jamestown would be educational. Karen McGuire, also of the EPA, added that the designation is not a way for the EPA to usurp local control. Also, the EPA has no additional penalties or guidelines it enforces on sole source aquifers, she said.

In Jamestown's surrounding area Block Island, two Rhode Island rivers, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, and all of Cape Cod have been designated sole source aquifers. None have reported any negative results, McGuire said.

Later in the meeting Town Council member William Kelly pointed out that he "could not think of a municipality that doesn't fit this designation under some set of circumstances."

Heath agreed saying "much of New England could be designated as a sole source aquifer."

After the presentation, the meeting was opened to the floor so people could make comments or ask questions

North end resident Sav Rebecchi said he was "very supportive for its educational value."

Ellen Windsor, a member of the North End Concerned Citizens group, which brought the petition for the designation, added that it would be "up to us to make sole source aquifer powerful to the community and to tourists."

Councilwoman Barbara Szepatowski said, "I feel very positive about this."

Not all present agreed that the SSA designation was a good idea.

Carol Trocki said, "we can do all those things with or without the sole source aquifer. We don't need the designation."

Councilman Kelly pushed the EPA representatives and they admitted that having a sole source aquifer would not place Jamestown in line for special grants or preferential treatment in any way. The only change would be that the EPA would get involved if federal funds were used in a major construction project such as an airport or highway on the island.

If Jamestown goes ahead with the petition it will be handed over to the EPA regional director to review. The director would decide whether to grant sole source aquifer status. No petition which has reached that phase has ever been turned down. The whole process "would take weeks not months," said Heath.

At times, the meeting became heated. In the end, all seemed to agree that the meeting was a success, if only to educate people.

At the end of the meeting, Ernie Panciera presented a letter from the state's Department of Environmental Management urging support for the sole source aquifer.

Councilman Michael White summed up the night when he said "one thing we are not is ignorant of our water situation."

The EPA's website has more information on the SSA. Questions or comments on the matter can be sent to mcquire.karen@epa.gov until March 13. Council President Julio DiGiando asked that anyone who sends something to the EPA also send a copy to the council.