Richmond WPCF - Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant in Richmond, Vermont

Richmond WPCF is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Richmond, Chittenden County, Vermont. The plant serves a population of approximately 1,670 residents, providing advanced treatment to protect local water quality. The plant operates with advanced treatment processes, which go beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients and other pollutants. With a designed capacity of 840.36 million gallons per year and an actual discharge volume of 367.19 million gallons per year, the facility operates well within its capacity. As a US plant, it is regulated under the Clean Water Act and must comply with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation. The treated effluent is discharged into a receiving water body that ultimately flows into the Winooski River and then into Lake Champlain. Lake Champlain is a large freshwater lake that supports diverse aquatic life and is a critical resource for recreation and drinking water. The plant's advanced treatment helps reduce nutrient loading, which is important for controlling algal blooms in the lake.

Richmond WPCF discharges into a tributary of the Winooski River, which flows into Lake Champlain. Lake Champlain is a large freshwater lake that supports diverse aquatic life, including fish species such as lake trout and landlocked Atlantic salmon. The lake is also an important migratory corridor for birds and provides drinking water for surrounding communities. Advanced treatment at the plant helps minimize nutrient pollution, which is critical for preventing harmful algal blooms in the lake.