In accordance with 314 CMR 16.00 the Shelburne Falls Wastewater District must give public notice to residents of high flow events that exceed the facility's operational permit.
Due to heavy rainfall over 2 weeks, the Shelburne Falls Wastewater Facility discharged partially treated wastewater to the Deerfield river. The event occurred on July 10, 2023. Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Total Suspended Solids, and E-Coli bacteria were above permit limits. River conditions were degraded from storm runoff up and down stream of the facility. The impact of the discharge would be below measurable level. The current conditions of the river are unsuitable for recreational use downstream or upstream of the treatment facility.
Rain on 26 June was 3.10 inches.
July 2,3 and 4 were 1.24, 1.50 and .78 inches.
Rain July 8 was 1.54, July 9, 0.30
July 10 was 3.12 inches
All total from June 26th to July 10th was 12. 3 inches.
The condition of the Deerfield river was as to be expected. Very high flow and suspended solids. Flow has gone down a little but it is still unsafe for recreation use. USGS had the river flow at 20,000 cubic feet per second on the 10th up from 3,000 the day before. The gauge is currently not reporting.
As for the collection system, there was no collection system overflow in either town.
The event was a training opportunity for the Asst operator and the collection system operator with tactics for dealing with unusual events.
Posted: to Town of Shelburne News on Wed, Jul 12, 2023
Updated: Wed, Jul 12, 2023
