Overview
PORTLAND WPCF serves Portland, Connecticut, treating wastewater for approximately 4,050 residents. The plant operates under U.S. Clean Water Act regulations, discharging treated effluent into the Connecticut River watershed.
PORTLAND WPCF is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located on Lower Main Street in Portland, Connecticut, within the Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region. The plant serves a population of approximately 4,050 residents, classifying it as a small-scale treatment facility in the northeastern United States. As a U.S. wastewater treatment plant, PORTLAND WPCF operates under the Clean Water Act's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 million gallons per day, reflecting its role in managing local domestic wastewater. Treatment processes typically include primary and secondary treatment stages to meet federal and state standards. The plant discharges treated effluent into the Connecticut River basin, which flows southward through Connecticut and empties into Long Island Sound. This water body supports diverse aquatic life and is an important migratory corridor for fish species. The plant's operations contribute to maintaining water quality in the river and downstream estuary.
Environmental context
PORTLAND WPCF discharges into the Connecticut River, which flows approximately 410 miles from its source near the Canadian border to Long Island Sound. The river supports a variety of fish species, including Atlantic salmon and American shad, and provides habitat for migratory birds. The downstream Long Island Sound is a productive estuary that supports commercial and recreational fisheries. The plant's treated effluent must meet water quality standards to protect these ecosystems.
Frequently asked questions
PORTLAND WPCF is located on Lower Main Street in Portland, Connecticut, within the Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region.
PORTLAND WPCF serves approximately 4,050 residents in the Portland area.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the Connecticut River, which flows into Long Island Sound.
As a U.S. facility, PORTLAND WPCF operates under the Clean Water Act and is regulated via an NPDES permit issued by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
Small plants like PORTLAND WPCF typically use secondary treatment processes, such as activated sludge or trickling filters, to meet EPA effluent guidelines for BOD and TSS removal.
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