Overview
Quonset Point WWTF serves 7,532 people in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, with a designed capacity of 1.00 million gallons per day. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act and EPA NPDES permit framework.
Quonset Point WWTF is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, within the South County region. Serving a population of approximately 7,532, the plant is designed with a capacity of 1.00 million gallons per day, reflecting its role in managing local wastewater for this coastal community. As a US facility, the plant operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. For a plant of this scale, secondary treatment is typically required, with additional nutrient removal standards applicable in sensitive watersheds like Narragansett Bay. The plant's treated effluent ultimately discharges into Narragansett Bay, a major estuary on the Atlantic coast. The bay supports diverse marine life, including shellfish beds and finfish, and is an important ecological and economic resource for Rhode Island. Proper treatment helps protect water quality in this sensitive coastal environment.
Environmental context
Quonset Point WWTF discharges into the Narragansett Bay watershed, which drains into the Atlantic Ocean. The bay is a productive estuary supporting shellfish, finfish, and migratory birds. Nutrient loading from wastewater can contribute to algal blooms and hypoxia, making advanced treatment important for maintaining ecological health in this coastal system.
Frequently asked questions
Quonset Point WWTF is located at 150 Zarbo Avenue in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, within the South County region of the state.
The plant serves approximately 7,532 people in the North Kingstown area, classifying it as a small to medium-sized municipal wastewater facility.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the Narragansett Bay watershed, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The discharge is regulated under an EPA NPDES permit to protect water quality.
As a US facility, Quonset Point WWTF operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to NPDES permits issued by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, which set limits on pollutants like BOD, TSS, and nutrients.
Plants of this scale typically provide secondary treatment, which includes biological processes to remove organic matter and solids. In sensitive coastal areas like Narragansett Bay, additional nutrient removal may be required to prevent eutrophication.
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