Water Sewer Event

WARWICK – Mayor Scott Avedisian and Sewer Authority Executive Director Janine Burke joined U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, EPA Region One Director Curt Spalding, representatives from the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA), and WSA board members, staff, and local officials to celebrate the groundbreaking for $17 million in improvements at the treatment facility, including flood protection measures.

During the March 2010 floods, the Pawtuxet River breached the levee that surrounds the sewer authority, submerging the facility and wiping out the treatment facility and six pumping stations along the Pawtuxet River. The WSA was unable to effectively process wastewater for a week, and it took several months to restore operations to full capacity. Damage to the facility – which treats an average of 5 million gallons a day and is deemed “critical” by RIEMA – was approximately $14 million, about half related to electrical problems.   

Flood protection measures will include raising the levee height by about five-and-a-half feet, using a combination of earthen materials and flood walls; protecting the facility to the 500-year flood elevation with a two-foot safety factor; adding a toe drain system to keep groundwater below the inside portion of the levee and allow the levee to remain stable during future flooding events; and modifying the existing storm drain system.

Total construction costs are estimated at roughly $3 million; earlier this month, it was announced that FEMA had approved up to $3.6 million for the project.

“This is a significant day for the Sewer Authority,” said Avedisian. “The flood protection measures will help to address past vulnerabilities at the facility and ensure that our residents and businesses are protected should another natural disaster occur. The upgrade to the phosphorous treatment facility is great for the environment, particularly the Pawtuxet River. I thank our Congressional delegation for securing the levee funding and all who have worked so patiently with the Authority on both of these issues. I must also recognize Janine Burke and Chief Edmund Armstrong, who worked tirelessly on the FEMA grant application.”

 “The flood damage from 2010 required years of electrical repairs and the effort to get this federal funding took years, but it was well worth the wait because now the city will save an additional $600,000,” said Senator Reed, who helped make up to $3.6 million in federal funds available for the project and authored a provision to reduce from 25% to 10% the non-federal share match for the project. “I appreciate FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate for his personal intervention to get this project moving at the federal level.  The strength of our local economy depends on the health of our water resources, so this project is a wise investment for public health and safety as well as the environment and economy.  The federal government must be a reliable partner when it comes to maintaining and upgrading infrastructure in our communities, and I will continue to work to ensure Rhode Island cities and towns get every dollar they need to complete critical projects like these, no matter how long it takes.”

“What a tremendous effort by all agencies, local officials and the Rhode Island congressional delegation in securing this grant for the Warwick Sewer Authority,” said Jamia McDonald, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency. “This funding will allow the Sewer Authority to strengthen their wastewater treatment facility infrastructure and preserve a critical function for the City of Warwick and the State of Rhode Island.”??

The WSA is also embarking on an $11.5-million upgrade to its phosphorous treatment system, which will significantly reduce the amount of nutrients being discharged into the Pawtuxet River. High levels of phosphorous can result in algae blooms, which reduce the amount of oxygen in a water body. Low water oxygen levels can have a major impact on aquatic life and has resulted in fish kills in the past.

In 2008, the state Department of Environmental Management issued a new RIPDES permit to the City for the treatment facility which contained new, lower limits for nutrients. The WSA appealed, and entered into negotiations with RIDEM to reach agreement on a schedule with which to comply with the new permit. The WSA subsequently received an extension in order to protect its plant and equipment, before installing new buildings and equipment, and combining the two projects to save money.

“These flood protections and pollution safeguards will go a long way towards keeping our communities safe and healthy,” said Whitehouse, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and cosponsor of recently passed legislation to combat harmful algal blooms. “Protecting against floods will pay big dividends when severe weather strikes.  And cutting down on nutrient pollution flowing into the Pawtuxet River will guard against harmful algal blooms, which are a serious threat to our health, fisheries, and tourism.  I congratulate Mayor Avedisian and the City of Warwick on these sensible investments.”

“EPA applauds the wise investments being made to improve Warwick’s treatment facility. These improvements will help the community’s resiliency and ability to weather the impacts of major storms. The upgraded treatment system will also achieve important reductions in nutrients going to the Pawtuxet River, which protects our local environment,” said Curt Spalding, Regional Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s New England office.

“As significant weather events become increasingly common due to climate change, it is vitally important that we protect our critical infrastructure against flooding and other threats,” said Congressman Jim Langevin. “These improvements to the Warwick Sewer Authority treatment facility will ensure continuity of operations and service to the many Warwick users who rely on this facility. I wish I could be there to celebrate in person, but I want to offer my sincere congratulations to the WSA, Mayor Avedisian and the City of Warwick on the groundbreaking of this crucial project.”

“For me, the 2010 Flood highlighted the importance of collaboration between local, state and federal governments in protecting and improving critical clean water infrastructure,” said Burke.  “Although under normal circumstances that burden continues to fall mainly on the local ratepayers, we are very lucky in Rhode Island to have state and federal partners who recognize that and are willing to assist us in our efforts to provide cost-effective wastewater collection and treatment services which will continue the advances we have made in water quality in the Ocean State.” 

The WSA wastewater treatment facility was put online in 1965 and, in 1982, improvements were made to increase capacity and the levee was constructed to the 100-year protection level. The facility was upgraded again in 2004 to reduce discharges of toxins and nutrients. While it currently averages about 5 million gallons per day, it has the capacity to treat up to 7.7 million gallons daily. The WSA has 320 miles of sewers, 48 pumping stations, and 21,500 customer accounts, meaning it provides sewer service to about 60,000 residents – roughly 70 percent of the city’s population.

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