The city of East Providence, R.I., needed to bring its 10.4-million-gallon-per-day wastewater treatment plant and 115-mile, 25 pump station and collection system into regulatory compliance. The $52-million design-build-operate project increased plant capacity to 14.2 mgd and mitigated overflows to Narragansett Bay. The project was completed on time and under budget, all while maintaining service on the treatment plant and collection system.

The treatment plant's new design reconfigured existing aeration basins for integrated fixed-film activated sludge technology. The design included a new headworks building, solids screening, odor control systems, primary clarifier upgrades and solids handling upgrades.

Plans called for installing a new 24-in. force main along the East Bay bike path rather than through the heart of the city. This saved the municipality $4 million. The plan created significant challenges from the beginning because it required permitting and agreement from four different state agencies within a tight time frame. AECOM teamed with local firms to expedite the process, working with all agencies to acquire the necessary permits. The construction plan included removing the existing two-mile path, excavating soils and ledge, laying a 24-in. ductile iron force main and restoring the pavement and vegetation—all in a coastal area during a New England winter.

East Providence Wastewater and Collection System Design-Build Improvements, East Providence, R.I.

Key Players

Owner City of East Providence

Design Firm AECOM Technology Corp.

General Contractor AECOM Technology Corp.

MEP Engineer Hart Engineering Corp

Utilities Contractor D’Ambra Construction

Electrical Contractor E.W. Audet & Sons

SCADA Integrator Woodard & Curran