Berwick WPCF - Secondary Wastewater Treatment Plant in Berwick, Maine

Berwick Water Pollution Control Facility (WPCF) is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Berwick, York County, Maine. The facility serves a population of approximately 3,071 residents, providing secondary treatment to remove organic matter and suspended solids from domestic wastewater. The plant operates under the regulatory framework of the US Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal discharges. With a designed capacity of 3,406.86 cubic meters per day and an average daily flow of 946.35 cubic meters, the plant operates well below its design capacity, indicating room for future growth. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Salmon Falls River and then into the Great Bay Estuary, a vital coastal ecosystem. The plant's location more than 10 km from the coast reduces direct marine impact, but its discharge contributes to the health of downstream aquatic habitats.

The plant discharges into the Salmon Falls River, which flows into the Piscataqua River and then into the Great Bay Estuary, a productive tidal estuary supporting diverse fish, shellfish, and bird species. The estuary is an important nursery ground for marine life and a key stopover for migratory birds. Protecting water quality in this watershed is critical for maintaining the ecological health of the Gulf of Maine.