Mansfield Department of Public Work, Norton

Overview

Mansfield Department of Public Work serves approximately 6,751 people in Norton, Massachusetts. The plant operates under U.S. EPA and state regulations for wastewater treatment and discharge.

The Mansfield Department of Public Work wastewater treatment plant is located in Norton, Massachusetts, within Bristol County. It serves a population of about 6,751 residents as part of the town's municipal wastewater infrastructure. The plant is situated inland, more than 50 kilometers from the coast. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal wastewater plants. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, administered by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, governs its discharge. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 million gallons per day, indicating it is sized for a small to medium community. The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body that ultimately drains into the Taunton River watershed and then into Mount Hope Bay, part of Narragansett Bay. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and provides important habitat for fish and wildlife. The plant's operation helps protect downstream water quality in this ecologically sensitive region.

Environmental context

The plant discharges into a tributary of the Taunton River, which flows into Mount Hope Bay and then Narragansett Bay. This watershed supports diverse aquatic species, including migratory fish, and is an important ecological corridor. Protecting water quality here is vital for the health of the bay's ecosystems and recreational uses.

Frequently asked questions

The plant is located in Norton, Massachusetts, in Bristol County, United States.

The plant serves approximately 6,751 people in the Norton area.

The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body that flows into the Taunton River watershed, eventually reaching Mount Hope Bay and Narragansett Bay.

The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act and is subject to NPDES permits issued by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.

For small to medium communities, secondary treatment is standard under the Clean Water Act, often using activated sludge or similar biological processes.