There are many factors to consider when a company chooses a place to do business, not least of which is the available infrastructure. Infrastructure – the utilities, transportation assets, and other elements that support a business – are an essential consideration in location choice. Companies choose a location with the infrastructure necessary to allow their business to succeed. Here at the Quonset Business Park, providing world-class infrastructure to our 200+ companies infrastructure is key to our success.
We often promote the accessibility of our railway, the ease of utilizing the assets at the Port of Davisville, and the availability of air travel through the Quonset State Airport. The park’s multi-modal transportation network is essential to the success of our businesses, however, unparalleled transportation access is only part of the park’s expansive infrastructure offerings.
Quonset’s award-winning wastewater collection system and treatment facility has the capacity, assets, and staffing that allows industrial companies to thrive. The wastewater system is comprised of 20 miles of gravity sewer lines and force mains and four pumping stations The state-of-the-art wastewater treatment facility processes approximately 900,000 gallons of wastewater per day, with a total capacity of nearly 1.8 million daily gallons.
A highly-qualified, nationally-recognized seven-person team manages the wastewater system and treatment facility, under the leadership of Edward Davies, the wastewater superintendent. In January 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized Davies for his outstanding work and contributions to protecting public health and water quality. Davies was one of only three individuals across New England to receive this prestigious award. In addition to day-to-day operations, superintendent Davies and his staff administer a strict industrial pretreatment program to ensure that the system continues to operate effectively for the benefit of our businesses, and that harmful pollutants are prevented from being deposited into Narraganset Bay.
All of the park’s wastewater staff are committed to excellence in their field, continually engaging with industry groups to learn best practices and stay sharp. Two staff members recently completed the RI Department of Environmental Management’s wastewater operator leadership training program, which allowed them to learn from peers in the industry to enhance their technical and management skills.
In 2022, plant operator David Bruno and superintendent Davies were part of the team representing Rhode Island at the annual National Water & Environmental Federation Operations Challenge, where 45 teams from across the country competed to earn the highest score in five different events, with each event testing the skills required for operation and maintenance of water resource recovery facilities, collection systems, and laboratories. The Rhode Island squad finished second out of 15 teams in their division, demonstrating the full breadth of their expertise.
The Quonset Business Park prides itself on delivering world-class infrastructure and utilities to meet the varied needs of the Park’s many businesses, while prioritizing safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible delivery. The Quonset Development Corp. (QDC), which manages the Park, works closely with our partners at the local, state and federal levels to provide world-class utility services while ensuring that all environmental guidelines are met. QDC’s world-class infrastructure, coupled with our highly capable operations team, allows us to consistently deliver on our commitment to protect Narragansett Bay and the environment overall, while maintaining and operating the robust infrastructure that continues to fuel the growth of the Quonset Business Park.
Steven King, PE, is the managing director of the Quonset Development Corp., North Kingstown, R.I.