September 5, 2007 Contact: Frank Sylvia
For Immediate Release 468-4700
Sewer Authority announces $500K grant, new website, cost-saving energy program, andproject update on Warwick Cove IIB
WARWICK – Thomas P. Stone, chairman of the Warwick Sewer Authority, Frank J. Sylvia, its interim executive director, and Mayor Scott Avedisian announced today several positive developments at the Authority, including a $500,000 grant, a new, more resident-friendly website, participation in an energy program designed to conserve environmental resources while saving the Authority money each month, and an update on the Warwick Cove IIB project.
The grant comes from the Rhode Island Clean Water Act Environmental Trust Fund, Interceptor Bond Fund, and will be administered by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management’s Office of Water Resources. The grant funds will be applied to the Capron Farms Sewer Extension Project, currently underway. The project has a completion date of September 2008.
The goal of the Interceptor Bond Fund is to provide grants to local governmental agencies to extend new interceptor sewers to areas that should no longer be serviced by Individual Sewage Disposal Systems (ISDS). A key requirement of the fund is mandatory connection within one year of the availability of the sewer system.
“These monies will be used to offset the cost of construction to the property owner and will greatly improve the overall water quality in that general vicinity,” said Stone. “As we continue to address our current and future sewer projects, we will be proactive in searching for ways to lessen the financial burden on those that have to bear the cost of construction.”
The WSA today also launched a new, comprehensive website, www.warwicksewerauthority.com. This user-friendly site has a vast array of information pertaining to the city’s sewer system. By logging on, residents can learn about a number of items, including construction projects, billing, traffic updates and wastewater treatment.
“This new website will serve as a valuable tool for Warwick residents,” said Mayor Scott Avedisian. “Not only does it contain the information that residents need, but it’s easy to navigate. This marks another step forward in our ongoing efforts to make local government more customer-friendly. I commend the Warwick Sewer Authority Board for its efforts in bringing this new site online.”
“Prior to the establishment of this website, information was available, but not readily accessible,” Stone said. “Now, all residents of Warwick will have the answers to all their questions at their fingertips.”
The website’s launch, Stone added, is “indicative of the Board’s desire to improve communication between the Warwick Sewer Authority and its stakeholders.”
Stone also praised the efforts of the City’s MIS Division, which was instrumental in designing the site. “I thank Mayor Avedisian and the MIS Division for their willingness to work with the Sewer Authority staff and our board to make this site as informative and accessible as it is.”
The Authority also announced that it will participate in a demand response program, helping the regional electrical grid during periods of peak consumption. Through this program, which is offered by the New England Independent System Operator (ISO), the Authority will receive monthly payments for agreeing to run its generator and taking its electrical load off the electrical grid during critical periods.
“Working with Energy New England and DemandDirect, an ISO approved agent, we were able to identify 500 kW of demand that we could service through our on-site generator and, consequently, not only help the region, but also receive financial rewards for our participation,” said Stone.
The demand response agreement, which was approved in August, will run through 2010 and provide financial incentives of more than $60,000 to the Authority. “This is a win-win,” said Stone. “We have the infrastructure and generator in place to make this curtailment possible, without disrupting our operations."
The Authority will be required to run its 1600kW generator when required by the ISO. This will typically occur during periods of peak demand in the region, such as a prolonged heat wave in the summer period.
“We are truly pleased to help both the New England ISO and Warwick Sewer Authority through this demand response agreement,” said Jeff Lines, principal of DemandDirect. “Hundreds of businesses throughout the region have signed on to this program to help our region address its needs during critical periods.”
Lines noted that during such periods, regional demand for electricity could increase by more than 50 percent, placing a strain on the grid’s infrastructure. “Through the demand response program, we can help alleviate the challenge of meeting such a high demand by having retail customers such as the Warwick Sewer Authority curtail their consumption or deploy their distributed generation resources.”
Finally, the Authority announced that sewer construction in the Warwick Cove IIB project area is well ahead of schedule and under budget. All sewer lines have been laid and the road has been resurfaced to accommodate back-to-school traffic. Work continues on the pump station. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Further construction updates will be available on the new website.
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