Lee Dept of Public Works, Lee

Overview

Lee Dept of Public Works is a municipal wastewater treatment plant serving Lee, Massachusetts. It treats wastewater from a population of approximately 3,483 and discharges into the local watershed.

The Lee Dept of Public Works wastewater treatment plant serves the town of Lee in Berkshire County, Massachusetts. This facility manages municipal wastewater for a population of about 3,483 residents, providing essential sanitation services to the community. As a small-scale treatment plant in the United States, it operates under the regulatory framework of the Clean Water Act, administered by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. The plant is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality. The treated effluent from the plant is discharged into the Housatonic River watershed, which flows south through western Massachusetts and Connecticut before emptying into Long Island Sound. This river system supports diverse aquatic life and is an important recreational and ecological resource in the region.

Environmental context

The plant discharges into the Housatonic River basin, which drains into Long Island Sound via the Housatonic River. The watershed supports a variety of fish species and provides habitat for migratory birds. Downstream waters are ecologically sensitive, and the plant's discharge must meet state water quality standards to protect aquatic life and recreational uses.

Frequently asked questions

The plant is located at 405 Pleasant Street in Lee, Massachusetts, in Berkshire County.

The plant serves approximately 3,483 residents in the town of Lee.

The plant discharges into the Housatonic River watershed, which flows into Long Island Sound.

The plant operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to NPDES permitting by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality.

Small municipal plants in Massachusetts typically provide secondary treatment, which includes biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids, meeting state and federal standards.