Veolia Water Cranston WPCF, Warwick

Overview

Veolia Water Cranston WPCF in Warwick, Rhode Island serves 81,000 people with a designed capacity of 1.00 MGD. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act and discharges into the Providence River watershed.

Veolia Water Cranston WPCF is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Warwick, Rhode Island, serving a population of approximately 81,000. The plant is situated near Interstate 95 in Kent County and is part of the state's wastewater infrastructure. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal facilities of this scale. The designed capacity is 1.00 million gallons per day, and the plant is regulated by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. The treated effluent is discharged into the Providence River, which flows into Narragansett Bay and ultimately the Atlantic Ocean. The plant plays a key role in protecting the water quality of Narragansett Bay, a vital estuarine ecosystem that supports diverse aquatic life and recreational activities.

Environmental context

The plant discharges into the Providence River, a tidal river that flows into Narragansett Bay, one of the largest estuaries on the US East Coast. Narragansett Bay supports a rich diversity of marine life, including fish, shellfish, and migratory birds. The watershed is ecologically sensitive due to urban runoff and industrial history, making effective wastewater treatment critical for maintaining water quality and ecosystem health.

Frequently asked questions

The plant is located near Interstate 95 in Warwick, Kent County, Rhode Island, United States.

The plant serves approximately 81,000 people in the Cranston and Warwick areas.

The treated effluent is discharged into the Providence River, which flows into Narragansett Bay and then the Atlantic Ocean.

The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act and is regulated by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management through the NPDES permit program.

Under the Clean Water Act, municipal plants of this size are required to provide at least secondary treatment, which includes biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids.