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Eliminating Sanitary Sewer Overflows in Rhode Island:  Assistance


Smoke coming from a gutter downspout

Smoke coming from a gutter downspout, taken during sewage system smoke testing, shows a common source of rainwater inflow into a town sewage system.   I/I (Inflow and Infiltration) is essentially clean water that takes up collection and treatment system capacity, causing sewer overflows into streets and waterways, sewer backups in homes, and unnecessary costs for treatment of the water. (Source: EPA Region 1)

In our effort to address Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs) in Rhode Island, EPA is using an integrated approach that combines a strong technical assistance program with traditional enforcement actions under the Clean Water Act.   EPA and its partners are offering a variety of activities and resources to help municipalities identify and prevent problems with the operation and maintenance of their wastewater collection systems and develop plans for long-term infrastructure management.   

Services available from EPA regional technical staff include workshops and other training events, on-site assistance, telephone consultations and the development of useful tools and information. 

For assistance or questions about the information listed below, please contact:

Jack Healey
healey.jack@epa.gov
(617) 918-1844     		 Gina Snyder
snyder.gina@epa.gov
(617) 918-1837
Deborah Cohen
cohen.deborah@epa.gov
GIS contact
(617) 918-1145		  

 

 

 

 

 

Workshops and Other Events

Asset Management Committee for Wastewater Systems in Rhode Island
In response to the increasing need for local governments and public utilities to incorporate Asset Management practices within their main business functions, the Narragansett Water Pollution Control Association has formalized an Asset Management Committee to facilitate member education on Asset Management. The program, assisted by EPA-New England Region I and the RI DEM, meets monthly for two hours at wastewater facilities around the state. Contact Joe LaPlante (jlaplante@narrabay.com or at 401-461-8848, ext.213).

Asset Management Software
Asset Management is helpful in determining system condition and assessing the risk/urgency of system repair and maintenance. Two free EPA-sponsored software programs are available to assist with electronic asset management.

Total Electronic Asset Management Software (TEAMS) Click icon for EPA disclaimer. provides condition assessment and work order capability, and can be used in rate setting and capital improvement planning. Training on TEAMS has been held for Rhode Island communities.

Check Up Program for Small Systems (CUPSS) can help you develop a record of your assets, a schedule of required tasks, an understanding of your financial situation, and a tailored asset management plan

Hands-on demonstrations of these programs can be arranged for interested wastewater operator groups. Contact Gina Snyder or Jack Healey at EPA for more information.

ENERGY STAR Benchmarking for Wastewater Treatment Facilities in Rhode Island
Training has been provided to many wastewater treatment plants in Rhode Island on how to enter and interpret results of energy use information with the EnergySTAR benchmarking tool. Participants learned how to use the tool to track energy use and impacts, calculate the carbon footprint, and understand what the benchmark means in terms of improvements on the baseline score. The tool uses facility information such as Average Influent Flow, Design Flow (MGD), Influent and Effluent Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) Concentrations, and all sorts of energy use at the facility. To learn more about the ENERGY STAR wastewater benchmarking tool, contact Jason Turgeon (turgeon.jason@epa.gov or (617) 918-1637).

Innovative Energy Approaches for Rhode Island Wastewater Systems
The Narragansett Bay Commission (NBC), with funding for a State Innovation Grant (Sustainable Energy Management Practices for Wastewater Treatment) is working with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the University of Rhode Island on two projects:

Energy Focused Environmental Management Systems
NBC and its partners will develop an energy management program to reduce energy use and improve energy efficiency at Rhode Island Waste Water Treatment Facilities. The project is using energy audits, a series of trainings and roundtable meetings, EPA's benchmarking tools, and the plan-do-check-act approach to continuous process improvement as described in the EPA's Ensuring a Sustainable Future: An Energy Management Guidebook for Wastewater and Water Utilities (PDF) (113 pp, 1.9 MB)

Fats, Oil and Grease as a Potential Renewable Resource
NBC will institute an Environmental Results Program (ERP) for the restaurants in its service area through its discharge pre-treatment permitting program. The ERP program will help these businesses improve oil/grease discharge compliance and create incentives to encourage the use of collected used oils and grease as a renewable energy source.

For more information:
Contact: James McCaughey, Narragansett Bay Commission
401-461-8848 X 352 or jmccaughey@narrabay.com
Gina Snyder, US EPA - New England (Region 1) technical contact
617-918-1837 or snyder.gina@epa.gov

View the project fact sheet and progress reports.

For more information about Energy and Water/Wastewater Infrastructure

Assistance to Facilities

EPA regional technical staff is available to help individual Rhode Island communities, upon request, on a wide range of topics, including:

Assistance can be provided via telephone, e-mail, or through an on-site visit.  We’re also available to meet with municipal officials to discuss maintenance and other collection system infrastructure issues.

Tools and Resources

Wastewater Collection System Capacity, Management, Operations and Maintenance (CMOM) Self-Assessment Checklist, June 2007
This checklist was developed by EPA New England as a revision to Chapter 3 of the U.S. EPA Guide for Evaluating CMOM Programs at Sanitary Sewer Collection Systems.  Completion of the checklist, as part of each system’s assessment of the adequacy of its collection system maintenance activities, is a requirement for the recipients of the Administrative Orders sent as part of this Rhode Island effort.  If you would like a copy of the EPA New England Checklist, please contact Jack Healey or Gina Snyder as noted above.

U.S. EPA Guide for Evaluating CMOM Programs, January 2005 (PDF) (126 pp., 2.8 MB, About PDF)

Preventive Maintenance Template
Currently under development by EPA New England, this template will help wastewater collection systems develop the preventive maintenance plans that are an integral part of their CMOM program.  Designed to be customized by individual systems, the template includes elements such as assessment of sewer lines and structures, addressing easement issues, pump stations/force mains, overflow response planning, and capacity management. Portions are currently available for Rhode Island systems interested in working with the EPA regional office in pilot testing.

For more information please contact Jack Healey or Gina Snyder as noted above.

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