Overview
Shelton WPCF is a municipal wastewater treatment plant serving approximately 17,010 people in Shelton, Connecticut, United States. It operates under the US Clean Water Act framework.
Shelton WPCF is a wastewater treatment facility located at 73 Myrtle Street in Shelton, Connecticut, within the Naugatuck Valley Planning Region. The plant serves a population of about 17,010, placing it in the medium-agglomeration category for US municipal treatment systems. Its designed capacity is 1.00 million gallons per day, reflecting the scale of the community it supports. As a US facility, Shelton WPCF operates under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, established by the Clean Water Act. This regulatory framework requires permits for discharges into surface waters, with treatment standards based on technology and water quality goals. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the Housatonic River watershed, which flows south through Connecticut and empties into Long Island Sound. This estuary is ecologically significant, supporting diverse marine life and serving as a critical habitat for fish and migratory birds. The plant's operations contribute to protecting water quality in this downstream environment.
Environmental context
Shelton WPCF discharges into the Housatonic River, which flows approximately 149 miles south through western Connecticut and Massachusetts before reaching Long Island Sound. The Sound is a major estuary that supports diverse aquatic ecosystems, including shellfish beds, finfish populations, and migratory shorebirds. The plant's treated effluent must meet water quality standards to protect these downstream habitats from nutrient pollution and other contaminants.
Frequently asked questions
Shelton WPCF is located at 73 Myrtle Street in Shelton, Connecticut, within the Naugatuck Valley Planning Region of the United States.
The plant serves approximately 17,010 people, classifying it as a medium-sized municipal wastewater treatment facility.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the Housatonic River, which flows into Long Island Sound. Discharge is regulated under an NPDES permit to ensure compliance with water quality standards.
Shelton WPCF operates under the US Clean Water Act, which requires NPDES permits for discharges into surface waters. The permit sets limits on pollutants based on technology and water quality criteria.
For a plant of this size, secondary treatment is typically required under the Clean Water Act. This involves biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids before discharge.
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