Overview
Bristol WWTF serves 16,900 people in Bristol, Rhode Island, discharging treated wastewater into the Narragansett Bay watershed. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act NPDES permit program.
Bristol WWTF is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Bristol, Rhode Island, serving a population of approximately 16,900 residents. The plant is situated near the coast of Narragansett Bay, a major estuary in the northeastern United States. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal wastewater facilities. The designed capacity is 1.00 million gallons per day, indicating a medium-scale facility for a community of this size. The plant's discharge ultimately reaches Narragansett Bay, an ecologically productive estuary that supports diverse marine life, including fish, shellfish, and migratory birds. The bay is a critical habitat and recreational resource for Rhode Island.
Environmental context
The Bristol WWTF discharges into the Narragansett Bay watershed, which drains into the Atlantic Ocean. Narragansett Bay is a large estuary that supports a rich ecosystem, including eelgrass beds, shellfish populations, and migratory fish species. The bay's health is influenced by nutrient inputs from surrounding communities, making wastewater treatment important for water quality.
Frequently asked questions
Bristol WWTF is located at 77 Plant Avenue, Bristol, Rhode Island, United States, near the coast of Narragansett Bay.
The plant serves approximately 16,900 residents in the town of Bristol, Rhode Island.
The plant discharges treated wastewater into the Narragansett Bay watershed, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean.
The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act, which requires NPDES permits for municipal wastewater discharges. Facilities of this scale typically need secondary treatment to meet water quality standards.
For a population of about 16,900, US regulations generally require secondary treatment, which includes biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids. Some plants may also incorporate nutrient removal to protect sensitive water bodies like Narragansett Bay.
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