Suffolk Co SCSD 28 Fairfield Wastewater Treatment Plant, Town of Smithtown, New York

Suffolk Co SCSD 28 Fairfield is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located on Moriches Road in the Town of Smithtown, Suffolk County, New York. The facility serves a population of approximately 1,000 residents and operates as part of the region's wastewater infrastructure on Long Island. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard level required under the U.S. Clean Water Act for municipal facilities. With a designed capacity of 529.96 units and an average daily discharge of 333.12 units, the plant operates below its maximum capacity. As a facility within 10 kilometers of the coast, it is subject to additional regulatory scrutiny to protect marine environments. The treated effluent from the plant ultimately discharges into the Long Island Sound watershed, a vital estuary that supports diverse aquatic life, including shellfish, finfish, and migratory birds. The plant's coastal location necessitates careful management to minimize nutrient loading and protect water quality in the sound.

The plant discharges into the Long Island Sound watershed, a major estuary that connects to the Atlantic Ocean. The sound supports ecologically sensitive habitats, including tidal wetlands and eelgrass beds, which are crucial for juvenile fish and shellfish. Nutrient management is a key concern due to the risk of algal blooms and hypoxia in the sound's waters.