Wastewater Treatment Facility - Planning & Design

The Office of Water Resources’ Planning and Design Program manages the review and approval of wastewater planning, design, and construction projects. Its goal is to ensure projects are well-engineered, promote or protect water quality, and meet all state and federal regulations. The program supports nineteen major wastewater treatment facilities, numerous satellite facilities, extensive wastewater collection networks, and hundreds of pump stations throughout Rhode Island.

Facilities Planning

A wastewater Facilities Plan (FP) is both an engineering report and a planning study that evaluates the water pollution control needs of a community, typically over a 20-year planning period. The FP provides an overview of future wastewater treatment planning and design needs by analyzing current and projected flows and pollutant loading, evaluating potential upgrades and improvements to the facility and collection system, considering climate change impacts, and comparing feasible alternatives. The FP helps protect public health and the environment while also supporting growth and development in each community.

Documents & Resources

Facilities Planning Process Overview PDF file, less than 1

Intergovernmental Review Contacts for Facilities Plans PDF file, less than 1

Facilities Plan Checklist PDF file, less than 1

Facilities Plan Reaffirmation Checklist PDF file, less than 1

Design Guidance for Considering Climate Change PDF file, less than 1

WWTF Redundancy Design Guidance PDF file, less than 1

Orders of Approval

DEM’s Water Quality Regulations (250-RICR-150-05-1) require that any construction, installation, or modification of wastewater treatment works, including extending sewer lines to an existing sewer system, must obtain an Order of Approval (OA). An OA is a formal approval issued by DEM authorizing the design and construction of wastewater treatment or collection system projects in Rhode Island. The OA is issued only after DEM verifies that the project is consistent with the municipality’s approved FP and meets all engineering, environmental, and regulatory requirements.

Documents & Resources

Application for Order of Approval - Wastewater Treatment & Collection Systems PDF file, less than 1

Application for Approval for Marine Sewage Pumpout Facility PDF file, less than 1

Guidelines for Submitting an Application for Approval for a Marine Sewage Pumpout Facility PDF file, less than 1

Order of Approval Fee Schedule Regulations.pdf PDF file, less than 1

Application Fee Form PDF file, less than 1

Sewer/Water Line Separation Policy for Design of Sanitary Sewers PDF file, less than 1

Sewer Line/Water Supply Well Separation Policy for Design of Sanitary Sewers PDF file, less than 1

Flow Estimation Policy for Design of Sanitary Sewers PDF file, less than 1

Design Guidance for Considering Climate Change PDF file, less than 1

Resiliency Planning

The Rhode Island Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (RIPDES) discharge permit issued to wastewater treatment facilities requires permittees to develop a resiliency plan. The plan assesses current and future susceptibility to impacts from natural hazards resulting from climate change and sea level rise, across the critical and non-critical components of wastewater treatment facilities and collection system infrastructure. Communities will use these plans to promote resiliency and ensure that facilities will continue to operate amid future changing conditions. After the plan is formally submitted to the RIPDES program, the Planning and Design Program conducts the review and approval process.

Documents & Resources

Resiliency Plan Checklist PDF file, less than 1

Design Guidance for Considering Climate Change PDF file, less than 1

ASCE Design Standards and DEM Expectations.pdf PDF file, less than 1