Overview
East Machias WWTP is a secondary treatment plant serving 115 people in East Machias, Maine. It discharges 37.85 thousand cubic meters per year and is located within 10 km of the coast.
East Machias WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in East Machias, Washington County, Maine. The plant serves a small population of 115 residents and operates as part of the town's infrastructure. Its coastal location places it within 10 kilometers of the Atlantic Ocean, making it subject to stringent environmental oversight. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by the U.S. Clean Water Act for municipal facilities discharging to surface waters. With a designed capacity of 37.85 thousand cubic meters per year and a discharge volume matching that figure, the plant operates at full capacity. Under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), permits are issued by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection to regulate effluent quality and protect receiving waters. The treated effluent from East Machias WWTP ultimately reaches the Atlantic Ocean via local streams and the Machias River estuary. The coastal watershed supports diverse marine life, including shellfish and migratory fish species. The plant's proximity to the coast necessitates careful management to prevent nutrient loading and protect downstream ecosystems.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Machias River watershed, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean via Machias Bay. This coastal estuary supports critical habitats for fish, shellfish, and migratory birds. The region's cold-water ecosystems are sensitive to nutrient pollution, making effective wastewater treatment essential for maintaining water quality and ecological balance.
Frequently asked questions
East Machias WWTP is located in East Machias, Washington County, Maine, United States. The plant serves the local community and is situated near the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.
East Machias WWTP serves a population of 115 people. It is a small-scale municipal facility designed to meet the wastewater treatment needs of the local community.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the Machias River watershed, which flows into Machias Bay and ultimately the Atlantic Ocean. The discharge is regulated under the U.S. Clean Water Act via an NPDES permit.
East Machias WWTP provides secondary treatment, which is the standard required by the Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater plants discharging to surface waters. This level removes most organic matter and suspended solids.
As a municipal wastewater plant in the United States, East Machias WWTP operates under the Clean Water Act, which mandates secondary treatment and requires an NPDES permit. The permit, issued by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, sets effluent limits to protect water quality in the receiving coastal waters.
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