Charles River WPCF - Medway, Massachusetts Wastewater Treatment Plant

The Charles River Water Pollution Control Facility (WPCF) is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Medway, Massachusetts, serving a population of about 129,000. As a major treatment facility in the region, it plays a key role in managing wastewater from the greater Medway area and surrounding communities within the Charles River basin. The plant operates under the U. S. Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment as a minimum for municipal facilities of this scale. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program governs its discharge, ensuring compliance with water quality standards to protect the receiving waters. The plant discharges treated effluent into the Charles River, a major waterway that flows approximately 80 miles northeast through eastern Massachusetts. The river ultimately empties into Boston Harbor and then the Atlantic Ocean. The Charles River watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is an important recreational and ecological resource for the region.

The Charles River WPCF discharges into the Charles River, which flows through eastern Massachusetts into Boston Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean. The river is a vital urban waterway that supports fish populations, including herring and bass, and provides recreational opportunities. The watershed faces challenges from urban runoff and combined sewer overflows, making effective treatment crucial for maintaining water quality and ecosystem health.