A statewide voluntary residential pollution prevention program that trains citizens to identify environmental and health risks in and around the home and take actions to protect their health and environment. Focus on protecting drinking water sources, septic system operation and maintenance, controlling stormwater runoff from residential properties, protecting and restoring wetland buffers, and yard and garden care. Over 200 residents have participated in workshops within the last two years and are putting into practice sensible techniques to protect home health and local environmental quality.

• Annual volunteer training prepares Home*A*Syst volunteers to work in their neighborhoods sharing pollution prevention information.
• Information and displays set up at a variety of public events.
• Pilot volunteer organization efforts have established core groups of neighborhood volunteers in several watersheds.
• Attractive, easy-read pollution prevention manual organized by topic; new chapters on Brownfields and public water supply.
• Partners with existing agency and non-profit educational programs to leverage resources for maximum effectiveness.
• Customized community educational programs are offered to target local needs and pollution prevention issues.

Selected Current Activities 1999-2000

• Residential pollution prevention workshops in drinking water protection, septic system maintenance, and yard and garden care conducted statewide. New workshops developed on backyard shoreline buffers and "What’s involved with a septic system inspection".
• Developed and tested new chapters in Home*A*Syst handbook for public water consumers and on redeveloping Brownfield sites.
• Mobilizing and training citizen volunteers to update land use and identify pollution sources in drinking water areas with RI Department of Health.