The Water Pollution Control Division of the Department of Public Works (DPW) provides oversight, management and / or treatment of the various types of "dirty waters" generated within the Town. This includes the regulation and oversight of commercial and industrial wastewaters to protect both the treatment plant and our natural resources.
Wastewater Treatment Plant
The South Hadley Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is located just over the line in the City of Chicopee. The WWTP is responsible for cleaning and treating Town wastewater to levels specified by both the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MA DEP) and the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Cleaned and treated wastewater is discharged into the Connecticut River, in accordance with a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit. The WWTP completed an extensive upgrade in 2008, which also included 2 of the pump stations. Recent / current projects include a boiler conversion project from oil to gas boilers for 2 buildings at the Plant and the Main Street Pump Station, installation of a new alarm system for the plant and 4 pump stations, and the refurbishing of 2 thickener and 4 aeration tanks.
Draft Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan
The CWMP was recently finished by BETA Group and presented to the Selectboard in January. This document looks at the current and future needs of the Town, evaluates the current status of the treatment plant, pump stations and sewer system, and determines what is needed to ensure the ongoing operation of the publicly owned treatment works. Current technologies are evaluated and a financial cost assessment is completed to provide the Town with a detailed cost estimate for repairs and upgrades needed over the next twenty years.
The slides from the presentation are linked in the left column and provide a quick overview of the document. The full document is available here: Comprehensive Management Plan.