These facilities provide service to two-thirds of East Providence’s 50,000 residents. The company will manage plant operations and improvements.
United Water will begin operational responsibility for the system, while also implementing $52.5m worth of infrastructure and treatment process upgrades to bring the collection system and plant into compliance with new state Department of Environmental Management mandates.
This project is expected to save the city $13m over what was budgeted to be spent under a traditional project delivery approach. Construction is slated to begin at the plant before the end of the year with a completion deadline of September 2012. United Water will also build a new pump station at Watchemoket Cove and a wastewater pipeline by August 2013.
The treatment plant will undergo upgrades including odor control systems and a biological nutrient removal (BNR) process to reduce nitrogen levels in the treated water. The new BNR process will provide an added level of treatment that will improve water quality in the Pawtucket River and Narragansett Bay, the company said.
Bertrand Camus, CEO of United Water, said: ”We’re excited to be part of the solution that helps East Providence meet its goal of providing efficient and sustainable wastewater service to its residents.
“We fully realize that our work is critical to ensuring an environmentally sound wastewater system for the city and we look forward to making our plans a reality for all the residents of East Providence.”
