DEM officials said no-contact advisory for Blackstone River remains in effect

WOONSOCKET, R.I. (WLNE) — RI Department of Environmental Management officials announced Friday that the no-contact advisory for Blackstone River will remain in effect going forward.

Officials said the advisory remains in effect as Woonsocket Regional Wastewater Treatment operators are still working to correct ongoing unpermitted discharges.

As part of the advisory, DEM is warning residents to refrain from swimming and boating activities in the river and from eating any fish from the Blackstone River.

The advisory was issued June 5 after it was discovered this past Sunday partly treated wastewater was coming from the plant.

DEM officials said they have collected water samples from 20 locations and that the water quality of shellfish grounds in the lower Providence River and Upper Narragansett Bay have not been

adversely affected.