Join us for this exciting opportunity to learn how to optimize the performance of wastewater treatment systems!

Wastewater represents the largest source of nitrogen pollution to our coastal waters in Southeast New England and reducing these nitrogen inputs are critical to ensuring the health of these waterways. This two-part workshop will highlight what every wastewater treatment plant operator, Title 5 system inspector, and soil evaluator needs to know in order to optimize performance of large denitrifying septic systems and small package treatment plants. (Download event flyer for more information)

Part 1: Operating and Maintaining Large Denitrifying Septic Systems:  What Operators Need to Know to Optimize Service and Performance

For some rural areas, centralized sewering can be too costly and nitrogen-reducing septic systems will be a part of the solution in restoring water quality and protecting our waterways from harmful algal blooms. The Coalition has worked with communities throughout the Buzzards Bay watershed to install both single family nitrogen-reducing septic systems and those serving developments with wastewater flows between 2,000 & 10,000 gallons per day.

This workshop will focus on the operation and maintenance of large nitrogen-reducing septic system technologies. Participants will hear perspectives from the Massachusetts Alternative Septic System Test Center (MASSTC) and vendors of various technologies installed in the region. Lessons learned from implementing these technologies will be shared with a special focus on what operators need to know to optimize performance. A panel discussion on the future of large nitrogen-reducing septic system technologies and a final Q&A session will wrap up Part I of the workshop.

Part 2: Package Treatment Plants: How to Make Them Work

For more densely developed suburban areas, sewering is a feasible option for controlling nitrogen pollution to our waterways. Small package treatment plants can provide an economical solution. In the Buzzards Bay watershed, there are some noteworthy neighborhood-scale treatment plants that will be highlighted due to their performance in successfully removing nitrogen prior to discharge. The municipally owned West Island Treatment Plant in Fairhaven and two privately owned treatment plants (the Red Brook Community Treatment Plant in Plymouth and the Red Brook Club & Marina Treatment Plant in Cataumet) will be presented. The operators of these treatment plants will provide an overview of each plant and share their experiences with ensuring optimal performance through established operation, maintenance, and monitoring programs. A final Q&A will end the indoor portion of the workshop, and then we will offer an optional tour of the West Island Treatment Plant in Fairhaven.

Category: Buzzards Bay Coalition
Hosted By: Buzzards Bay Coalition