ORLEANS VILLAGE WPCF, Orleans

Overview

ORLEANS VILLAGE WPCF is an advanced wastewater treatment plant in Orleans, Vermont, serving a population of 1,332. It discharges treated water into local waterways, supporting the Lake Memphremagog watershed.

ORLEANS VILLAGE WPCF is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Orleans, Vermont, United States. The plant serves a small community of approximately 1,332 residents, providing essential sanitation services for the village and surrounding area. The facility employs advanced treatment processes, ensuring a high level of pollutant removal before discharge. With a designed capacity of 719.23 thousand cubic meters per year and a current discharge volume of 317.98 thousand cubic meters per year, the plant operates well within its capacity. As a US facility, it operates under the Clean Water Act, with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, which set strict effluent limits to protect water quality. The treated effluent is discharged into local streams that flow into the Barton River, a tributary of Lake Memphremagog. This lake is a large, ecologically important water body that straddles the US-Canada border. The plant's advanced treatment helps protect the lake's water quality, supporting recreational use and aquatic habitat.

Environmental context

The plant discharges into the Barton River watershed, which drains into Lake Memphremagog, a large glacial lake spanning Vermont and Quebec. Lake Memphremagog supports diverse aquatic life, including cold-water fish species, and is a vital resource for recreation and drinking water. The advanced treatment at this plant helps minimize nutrient loading and protects downstream ecosystems from eutrophication.

Frequently asked questions

ORLEANS VILLAGE WPCF is located at 7 Cottage Street, Orleans, Vermont, United States.

The plant serves a population of 1,332 residents in the village of Orleans and surrounding areas.

The treated effluent is discharged into local streams that flow into the Barton River, which ultimately drains into Lake Memphremagog.

The plant provides advanced treatment, which goes beyond secondary treatment to remove additional nutrients and pollutants, ensuring high-quality effluent.

As a US facility, it operates under the Clean Water Act and is regulated by an NPDES permit issued by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, which sets discharge limits to protect water quality.