DEM PRAISES RETURNING RHODE ISLAND WASTEWATER COMPETITORS

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RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462

For Release:	October 23, 2007
Contact:	Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402 Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

DEM PRAISES RETURNING RHODE ISLAND WASTEWATER COMPETITORS

Department Salutes the Five-member Team for its Success in a National Wastewater Proficiency Competition

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management congratulates the five-member team of Rhode Island wastewater operators who successfully competed in a national proficiency challenge for wastewater professionals held earlier this month in San Diego. The team placed second out of 30 in a tight collection-system repair race, and 13th among all the events. This is the second year in a row the Rhode Island team won a berth in the coveted national competition, and markedly improved their times over last year.

"I am delighted that Rhode Island did so well in the national arena of the wastewater operator profession," said DEM Director W. Michael Sullivan, Ph.D. "The Ocean State is highly dependent upon this profession. They are a group of men and women who treat some 100 million gallons of raw sewage every day, and in so doing protect the health of every Rhode Islander, the quality of our waters, and our statewide economy. These five men not only won personal victories, they also brought some much-needed praise and attention to an under-appreciated group of homegrown environmental professionals."

The team, cleverly named "Fecal Matters," includes Peter Eldridge, Robert Sheriden, Donald Shurtleff, and Brian Lavallee of the West Warwick water treatment facility, and Scott Goodinson of Veolia Water North America, the contract operator of the Cranston Water Pollution Control Facility.

The competition included proficiency testing in water purification process-control strategies, laboratory skills, a fast-paced safety rescue simulation, emergency repairs of a complex pump, and a high-speed sewer-line repair. The events were designed to challenge physical and mental skills used daily by wastewater treatment professionals. The competition was held as part of an annual wastewater-industry national trade show.

The Rhode Island operator professionals group, The Narragansett Water Pollution Control Association, sponsored the team, with help from local private and public wastewater-treatment organizations. DEM also assisted in the team's training and preparation.

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