Overview
Dartmouth Dept of Public Works serves 12,848 residents in Dartmouth, Massachusetts. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act, discharging treated wastewater into local waterways.
The Dartmouth Dept of Public Works wastewater treatment plant serves the community of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, a town in Bristol County. With a population served of 12,848, the facility is part of the municipal infrastructure managed by the town's public works department. As a US-based plant, it operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. The plant discharges into local waterways that drain into the Buzzards Bay watershed, an ecologically significant estuary. Buzzards Bay supports diverse marine life, including shellfish beds and finfish, and is an important recreational and commercial resource for southeastern Massachusetts.
Environmental context
The plant's treated effluent enters the Buzzards Bay watershed, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean via the Elizabeth Islands. Buzzards Bay is a nutrient-sensitive estuary that supports eelgrass beds, shellfish populations, and migratory fish species. The watershed faces challenges from nitrogen loading, making effective wastewater treatment critical for maintaining water quality.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Dartmouth, Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States, at coordinates 41.590000, -70.992000.
The plant serves a population of 12,848 residents in the town of Dartmouth, Massachusetts.
The plant discharges treated wastewater into local waterways that drain into the Buzzards Bay watershed, which ultimately flows into the Atlantic Ocean.
The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act and is regulated by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection through an NPDES permit, which sets discharge limits and monitoring requirements.
For a community of this size, secondary treatment is typically required under the Clean Water Act. This involves biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids before discharge.
Nearby plants