Buckland Shelburne Falls WPCF, Buckland

Overview

Buckland Shelburne Falls WPCF serves approximately 1,981 people in Buckland, Massachusetts. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the Deerfield River, a tributary of the Connecticut River.

Buckland Shelburne Falls WPCF is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Buckland, Massachusetts, serving a population of about 1,981 residents. The plant is situated in Franklin County, part of the rural Pioneer Valley region of western Massachusetts. As a small-scale facility in the United States, the plant operates under the Clean Water Act, which requires National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for all discharges. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the Deerfield River, which flows southward to join the Connecticut River. The Connecticut River watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is an important migratory corridor for fish species. The plant's operations contribute to maintaining water quality in this ecologically significant river system.

Environmental context

The plant discharges into the Deerfield River, a tributary of the Connecticut River, which ultimately drains into Long Island Sound. The Connecticut River basin is one of the largest in New England, supporting diverse fish populations including Atlantic salmon and American shad. The Deerfield River is a cold-water fishery, sensitive to nutrient loading and temperature changes, making proper wastewater treatment essential for ecosystem health.

Frequently asked questions

The plant is located at 16 Gardner Falls Road in Buckland, Massachusetts, within Franklin County in the western part of the state.

The plant serves approximately 1,981 people, classifying it as a small-scale municipal wastewater treatment facility.

The plant discharges treated effluent into the Deerfield River, which flows into the Connecticut River and eventually reaches Long Island Sound.

As a US facility, it operates under the Clean Water Act and must have an NPDES permit issued by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, ensuring discharge limits protect water quality.

For small communities, secondary treatment is standard, which removes at least 85% of organic matter and suspended solids, meeting EPA requirements for most inland waters.