Hinesburg WPCF - Advanced Wastewater Treatment in Hinesburg, Vermont

Hinesburg WPCF is an advanced wastewater treatment facility located at 277 Lagoon Road in Hinesburg, Vermont, within Chittenden County. The plant serves a population of 1,530 and operates as part of the municipal infrastructure for this small community in the Lake Champlain watershed. The plant provides advanced treatment, which goes beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen. With a designed capacity of 1,438.45 volume units and an average daily discharge of 919.86 volume units, the facility operates well within its capacity. Under the U.S. Clean Water Act, such plants are regulated through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, administered by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation. The treated effluent from Hinesburg WPCF ultimately drains into the Lake Champlain basin, a large freshwater lake that supports diverse aquatic life and serves as a vital resource for recreation, drinking water, and fisheries. The plant's advanced treatment helps protect the lake from nutrient pollution, which can cause harmful algal blooms. The facility is located within 10 km of the coast, indicating its proximity to this ecologically sensitive water body.

Hinesburg WPCF discharges into the Lake Champlain watershed, which drains into the Richelieu River and eventually the St. Lawrence River and Atlantic Ocean. Lake Champlain is a large freshwater lake that supports diverse aquatic species and is a critical habitat for migratory fish. The plant's advanced treatment helps mitigate nutrient loading, which is a key concern for maintaining water quality in this ecologically sensitive basin.