Over 200 miles of sewer pipe link 85% of residences and 100% of commercial properties to Fairfield’s Water Pollution Control Facility (WPCF), operating under the authority of the Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA). The facility is valued at more than $100 million and is operated by 18 certified town employees.

Each day the WPCF returns about 8.5 million gallons of water, cleaned in accordance with state and federal standards (>95% of pollutants removed), to the Long Island Sound. 

Fifteen percent of residences are on septic systems (see link below for tips on maintenance).

Achievements to Date 

• The WPCF operates with the help of renewable energy coming from a solar array installed over old landfill in 2017 and a fuel cell, online since late 2019
• Wastewater sewer pipes are kept separate from stormwater pipes
• In a process unique in the state, the 500 tons of biosolids generated annually at WPCF is combined on site with local wood debris to make valuable compost
• Completion of berm to “harden” the WPCF against 100-year flood conditions 

Challenges Ahead

• Optimizing the effective and efficient operation of WPCF
• Maintaining separation of wastewater and stormwater systems
• Maintaining aging equipment while awaiting a major upgrade
• Completion of “micro-grid” to make WPCF a power “island” to continue operations during generalized power disruptions

Benefits of Modern Wastewater Management

• Lower sewage fees because facility runs on renewable energy
• Town receives rebates from the state for producing outflow that exceeds state nitrogen standards – which also protects the health of Long Island Sound
• Town gets revenue from the sale of compost and keeps 500 tons of biosolids out of landfill yearly

2030 Plan Goals

• Approval and implementation of WPCA long-term Facilities Plan
•  20% reduction in WPCF/sewer pipe emergency calls to relieve “fatberg” obstruction (a fatberg is a large mass of fat and waste material that forms in sewers 

How Do We Reach Our Goals?

• A detailed, 25-year Facilities Plan awaits approval by the state. The plan will bring about important upgrades to aging equipment and further enhance operating efficiency
• An ongoing program to detect and repair pipe disruptions to reduce stormwater I&I (inflow and infiltration) into our wastewater collection system. A $1.8 million repair project is slated to begin in the latter half of 2023. 
• Ensuring that stormwater management is an integral part of infrastructure and construction planning
• Promoting commercial and residential water conservation measures: reducing wastewater reduces unnecessary throughput at WPCF, lowering operating costs.
• Protection of WPCF and private sewer connections through education of consumers to refrain from putting any form of grease into the drain, and not flushing so-called “flushable” wipes
• Consider regulations for “gray water” management as feasible; reusing gray water will reduce throughput at WPCF and conserve drinking water

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Town of Fairfield Sewer Department (WPCF)

Septic Tips & Information