Local Team's Skills and Training for Wastewater-collections Proficiency Contest Beats Out Other Teams from New England
PROVIDENCE — Five Rhode Island wastewater treatment professionals won first place yesterday 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 also received recognition in four other categories, including laboratory testing, safety, maintenance, and process control theories. With these results, the Rhode Island team has earned an invitation to compete in an upcoming national competition this fall in New Orleans.
The team, known as "Ocean State Alliance," includes Joe Crosby, Mike Spring, Ed Davis and Mike Ceasrine of the Narragansett Bay Commission, and Vin Russo of the City of Warwick.
"The achievements of this hard-working team demonstrate the technical skills, knowledge and expertise of Rhode Island's wastewater collection and treatment professionals," said DEM Director Janet Coit. "Their 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 Rockport, Maine as part of an annual wastewater industry meeting.
The Rhode Island operator professionals group, The Narragansett Water Pollution Control Association, established in 1952, sponsored the team. Local private and public wastewater-treatment organizations also assisted in this statewide team effort.