Overview
MERIDEN WPCF serves approximately 51,579 people in Meriden, Connecticut. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, with a designed capacity of 1.00 million gallons per day.
MERIDEN WPCF is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located at 214 Evansville Avenue in Meriden, Connecticut. Serving an estimated population of 51,579, the plant is part of the region's critical water infrastructure, treating wastewater from residential and commercial sources in the South Central Connecticut Planning Region. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal facilities of this scale. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program governs its discharge, ensuring compliance with federal and state water quality standards. The plant's designed capacity of 1.00 million gallons per day indicates its role in managing local wastewater flows. The treated effluent from MERIDEN WPCF is discharged into a local water body that ultimately drains into Long Island Sound, a vital estuary supporting diverse marine life and recreational activities. The plant's operations are essential for protecting downstream water quality and the ecological health of the Quinnipiac River watershed.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into a tributary of the Quinnipiac River, which flows southward into New Haven Harbor and then into Long Island Sound. This estuary supports a rich ecosystem, including fish, shellfish, and migratory birds, and is a critical habitat for species such as the Atlantic sturgeon. Protecting water quality in this watershed is essential for maintaining the ecological balance of Long Island Sound.
Frequently asked questions
MERIDEN WPCF is located at 214 Evansville Avenue in Meriden, Connecticut, within the South Central Connecticut Planning Region.
The plant serves approximately 51,579 people in the Meriden area.
The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body that flows into the Quinnipiac River, eventually reaching Long Island Sound.
The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act and is regulated through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, administered by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
Under the Clean Water Act, municipal plants of this scale are typically required to provide secondary treatment, which removes at least 85% of biochemical oxygen demand and suspended solids.
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