Overview
BIDDEFORD POOL is a secondary treatment plant in Biddeford, Maine, serving 103 people. It discharges 75.71 units of treated wastewater near the coast.
BIDDEFORD POOL is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located at 1 Stone Cliff Road in Biddeford Pool, a coastal community in Biddeford, York County, Maine. The plant serves a small population of 103 residents, reflecting its role in a localized, low-density area. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required under the U.S. Clean Water Act for municipal facilities. Its designed capacity is 75.71 units, matching the reported discharge volume, indicating full utilization. As a small facility, it operates under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, administered by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. Located within 10 km of the Atlantic coast, the plant discharges treated effluent into local waters that drain into the Gulf of Maine. This coastal region supports diverse marine life, including fish, shellfish, and seabirds, and is part of a larger estuarine ecosystem that benefits from proper wastewater treatment to prevent nutrient pollution and protect water quality.
Environmental context
The plant's discharge enters a coastal watershed that flows into the Gulf of Maine, a biologically productive sea supporting fisheries and marine habitats. The area is ecologically sensitive due to its proximity to tidal zones and estuaries, which provide nursery grounds for fish and habitat for migratory birds. Proper treatment helps mitigate impacts on dissolved oxygen and nutrient levels in these nearshore waters.
Frequently asked questions
BIDDEFORD POOL is located at 1 Stone Cliff Road in Biddeford Pool, a coastal village within Biddeford, York County, Maine, United States.
The plant serves a population of 103 residents, making it a small-scale municipal facility.
The plant discharges treated effluent into local waters that flow to the Atlantic Ocean, specifically the Gulf of Maine. It is located within 10 km of the coast.
As a U.S. facility, BIDDEFORD POOL operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.
For small plants in Maine, secondary treatment is standard, as required by the Clean Water Act. This level removes organic matter and suspended solids to protect receiving waters.
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