Overview
Berlin WWTF serves approximately 10,351 residents in Berlin, New Hampshire. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the local watershed, contributing to the Androscoggin River basin.
Berlin WWTF is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Berlin, New Hampshire, serving a population of about 10,351. The plant is situated in Coos County, near the Androscoggin River, and operates under the regulatory framework of the US Clean Water Act, which requires NPDES permits for discharges into surface waters. As a facility serving a medium-sized community, Berlin WWTF is expected to provide at least secondary treatment under federal standards. Typical plants of this scale employ biological treatment followed by disinfection to meet permit limits. The treated effluent from Berlin WWTF is discharged into a receiving water body that ultimately flows into the Androscoggin River, which drains into the Kennebec River and then into the Gulf of Maine. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is important for regional water quality and recreational use.
Environmental context
The plant's discharge enters a tributary of the Androscoggin River, which flows through northern New Hampshire and Maine before joining the Kennebec River and emptying into the Gulf of Maine. The Androscoggin River watershed supports coldwater fisheries, including brook trout and Atlantic salmon, and is a vital resource for local communities and ecosystems. Protecting water quality in this basin is essential for maintaining aquatic habitat and downstream uses.
Frequently asked questions
Berlin WWTF is located on Shelby Street in Berlin, New Hampshire, within Coos County. The plant serves the city of Berlin and surrounding areas.
Berlin WWTF serves approximately 10,351 residents, making it a medium-sized treatment facility for the region.
The plant discharges treated effluent into a local water body that flows into the Androscoggin River, which ultimately reaches the Gulf of Maine.
Berlin WWTF operates under the US Clean Water Act, which requires an NPDES permit for discharges into surface waters. The permit sets limits on pollutants to protect water quality.
Plants serving around 10,000 people typically provide secondary treatment, which includes biological processes to remove organic matter and solids, followed by disinfection.
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