Water pollution control, or wastewater treatment, is one of the most important yet often overlooked, environmental services provided by the MDC. Most of us appreciate the approximately 50 million gallons of clean drinking water delivered daily by the MDC, but few know what happens to the millions of gallons of wastewater that flow from our faucets and toilets, through more than 1300 miles of sewers, to state-of-the-art sewage treatment facilities located on the shores of the Connecticut River.

A modern treatment facility mimics nature to clean up the region’s sanitary waste stream – and the Connecticut River.  Most municipalities in America treat their sewage (wastewater) using two basic processes: primary treatment (a physical process) and secondary treatment (a biological process).

The MDC operates three satellite water pollution control facilities – the East Hartford WPCF, the Rocky Hill WPCF and the Poquonock (Windsor) WPCF – in addition to its main facility in Hartford’s South Meadows.  Each of these satellite facilities provides full secondary treatment of the wastes it receives from its service area, just like the Hartford facility.  However, unlike Hartford, these smaller plants do not have sludge processing capabilities.  As a result, the sludge at these plants is delivered to Hartford where it is processed and disposed of in a safe manner. 

Water Pollution Control Facility Odor Complaint Hotline
(860) 724-1525
 
Water Pollution Control Facilities Brochure