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City of Woonsocket, Rhode Island
Mayor Susan D. Menard
Population: 41,817 City Contact:
DESCRIPTION
OF PARTNERSHIP ARRANGEMENT The City of Woonsocket entered into a Partnership agreement with USFilter on
July 1, 1999 for a 20-year period. U.S. Filter will operate and maintain the
16-mgd regional wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), servicing the cities
Woonsocket, Bellingham, Blackstone and North Smithfield. Actual throughput at
this time is roughly 10-mgd. Woonsocket retains ownership of the WWTP. USFilter
will also be responsible for operating and maintaining the pump stations.
ESTIMATED/ACTUAL
COST SAVINGS— Capital Upgrades, Consumer Rates,
and Fees In addition to guaranteeing service for the Partnership period, USFilter has
agreed to make capital upgrades to the plant worth approximately $20 million.
The major capital upgrade involves the addition of advanced treatment technology
to meet stringent effluent limitations. The Partnership arrangement sets out a time-based plan for consumer rate
stabilization, with a lifetime cost savings equivalent to $800,000 per year. No
rate increases will occur in 1999. Consumer rates are scheduled to increase by 9
percent for each of the three years 2000, 2001 and 2002. Rates are stabilized in
years 2003 to 2019. USFilter will pay a capital reimbursement fee of $2.1 million to the user
communities, with Woonsocket receiving $1.5 million out of the $2.1 million.
Woonsocket will also receive a host city fee of $1.5 million. USFilter also
agreed to pay a reimbursement fee for related consulting services of $300,000 to
Woonsocket.
LABOR
RELATIONS The regional wastewater treatment plant and system employed 24 workers prior
to the Partnership. All employees were offered jobs at equal to or better salary
and benefits. The employees are represented by AFSCME. |
J. Thomas Cochran, Executive Director
1620 Eye Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006
Telephone (202) 293-7330, FAX (202) 293-2352
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