           Home > News > News Item |
||||||
 |
News Release RI Department of Environmental Management 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908 (401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
DRAFT DISCHARGE PERMITS FOR CRANSTON, WARWICK AND WEST WARWICK WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES SUBJECT OF MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARING PROVIDENCE - Department of Environmental Management staff have been invited to discuss the re-issuance of discharge permits for the Cranston, Warwick and West Warwick wastewater treatment facilities at the Pawtuxet River Authority and Watershed Council meeting scheduled for Wednesday, September 17 at 7:30 p.m. at Coventry Town Hall.The revised RI Pollution Discharge Elimination System (RIPDES) permits build upon upgrades completed at the three wastewater treatment facilities between 2004 and 2006, primarily designed to raise dissolved oxygen levels in the Pawtuxet River by reducing the level of ammonia discharged. The communities' upgrades also incorporated phosphorus and nitrogen reduction in response to preliminary information regarding the impact of excessive phosphorus on the Pawtuxet River and excessive nitrogen in the Providence River and Upper Narragansett Bay. Prior to the upgrades, oxygen levels as low as zero were common in the lower portion of the River. Post-construction monitoring by DEM has demonstrated that oxygen levels have substantially improved and are in compliance with water quality standards. Despite these wastewater treatment facility improvements, reaches along the Pawtuxet River continue to be impacted by excessive levels of phosphorus. In freshwater systems like the Pawtuxet River, excessive levels of phosphorus promote the growth of nuisance algae and rooted aquatic plants. This excessive algal and/or plant growth results in reduced water clarity and poor aesthetic quality. The proposed permit reduces the total phosphorus limit from the current level of 1.0 mg/l to 0.1 mg/l, which is considered technically and reasonably feasible and will be protective of existing water quality criteria. Since the WWTF upgrades were completed, DEM has developed a phased implementation plan to reduce the discharge of nitrogen from RI and MA wastewater treatment plants to the Providence and Seekonk Rivers that is consistent with the state statutory mandate that requires a 50 percent reduction in nitrogen discharges from wastewater treatment facilities. The draft permits propose relatively minor changes to the current permit limits for total nitrogen. Consistent with this phased plan, the proposed permits establish seasonal total nitrogen limits from May through October of 8.0 mg/l for each of the wastewater treatment plants on the Pawtuxet River. Staff from DEM's Office of Water Resources met with representatives from each of the Pawtuxet River communities in June 2008 to discuss the draft permits. On Monday, September 22, DEM will hold a public hearing on the draft RIPDES permits at 5 p.m. in Room 280 at DEM Headquarters, 235 Promenade Street in Providence. Written comments will be accepted until 4 p.m. on September 23. The draft permits are posted on DEM's website at www.dem.ri.gov by clicking on Programs, then Water, then Permits, then RIPDES. Copies of the draft permits may also be obtained by calling Joseph Haberek in DEM's Office of Water Resources at 222-4700 ext. 7715. -30- |
|||||
For General Information 222-6800 • After Hours Emergencies 222-3070 • Disclaimer