Local Team's Skills and Training for Wastewater-collections Proficiency Contest Prevails over Other Teams from New England
PROVIDENCE - A team of five Rhode Island wastewater treatment operators finished first place overall in a prestigious contest of wits, strength, speed and endurance designed to test the knowledge and skills used in wastewater collection practices and repairs.
The team, known as "Ocean State Alliance," includes Coach Joe Crosby, Captain Ed Davies, Vinnie Russo, Jr. and Ryan Chenette, all of the Narragansett Bay Commission's Fields Point Wastewater Treatment Facility, and Ryan Patnode of the West Warwick Wastewater Treatment Facility. The team was sponsored by the Narragansett Water Pollution Control Association, an organization of Rhode Island wastewater professionals.
The team came in first place in the written Process Control event; first in the Laboratory Testing event; second in the Pump Repair event; second in the Safety event; and second in the Collection System/Pipe Repair event. The individual scores placed them in first place overall among five teams participating from across New England.
"Kudos to the members of this hard-working team for their first-place finish in this year's Operator Challenge," said DEM Director Janet Coit. "Their achievements demonstrate the technical skills, knowledge and expertise used by Rhode Island's wastewater professionals to collect and treat about 100 million gallons of sewage every day. This important work protects the health of Ocean State residents, the quality of our waters, and our state's economy."
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 blended the physical and mental skills used daily by wastewater treatment professionals.
This year's Operator Challenge was held in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, over two days as part of an annual conference for the wastewater treatment community sponsored by the New England Water Environment Association. With the first-place finish, the Rhode Island team has qualified to attend the national competition this fall in Chicago.
