Overview
Newburyport WPCF serves approximately 16,866 people in Newburyport, Massachusetts. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the Merrimack River, which flows to the Gulf of Maine.
Newburyport WPCF is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Newburyport, Massachusetts, serving a population of about 16,866. The plant is situated along the Merrimack River in Essex County, an area with a mix of residential and historic coastal character. As a medium-sized agglomeration in the United States, the plant operates under the Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal wastewater. The designed capacity is 1.00 million gallons per day, indicating the plant is sized to handle the local flow. Typical facilities of this scale employ activated sludge or similar biological treatment. The plant's treated effluent is discharged to the Merrimack River, which flows approximately 30 miles downstream to the Gulf of Maine. This river supports diverse aquatic life and is an important migratory corridor for fish species. The plant's discharge is regulated under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program to protect water quality in the watershed.
Environmental context
The Merrimack River is the fourth-largest river system in New England, draining into the Gulf of Maine. The watershed supports a variety of fish, including Atlantic salmon and striped bass, and provides drinking water for downstream communities. The plant's discharge contributes to the river's flow, and its treatment level must meet state and federal standards to protect aquatic life and recreational uses.
Frequently asked questions
Newburyport WPCF is located at 157 Water Street in Newburyport, Massachusetts, USA, along the Merrimack River.
The plant serves approximately 16,866 people in the Newburyport area.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the Merrimack River, which flows to the Gulf of Maine.
The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, with discharge regulated by an NPDES permit issued by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.
For a medium-sized agglomeration like Newburyport, secondary treatment (e.g., activated sludge) is standard, with possible nutrient removal if the receiving water is sensitive.
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