Wastewater Division

The Wastewater Division’s primary function is to treat the city’s wastewater to a Wastewater Eastlevel that meets or exceeds the stringent standards set by MADEP and USEPA, and is responsible for the operation and maintenance of 140 miles of sewer lines that make up the collection system. The department accepts flow not only from Fitchburg residents and businesses, but also serves the needs of the neighboring communities of Lunenburg and Westminster.

In addition to treating wastewater, the Wastewater Division also provides several area communities with septage disposal services to insure a safe and reliable disposal method for these wastes, while generating revenue which helps in offsetting the cost to residents.

  1. What is an abatement?
  2. In what area are there Sewer and Drain repairs? Will there be a detour?
  3. What is a "billing unit" on my bill?
  4. Why is my bill higher than before?
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Wastewater Management Plan

In 2012, the City of Fitchburg entered into a Consent Decree (CD) with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). As specified by the CD, the City is required to submit a Wastewater Management Plan (WMP) that addresses a schedule to meet specific phosphorous discharge levels from the Wastewater Treatment Facility, and also a schedule for construction work required for the sewer collection system to meet the combined sewer overflow (CSO) conditions in the NPDES Permit by the end of 2030.  The initial WMP was submitted in 2019, with an updated report submitted in 2020, and a final report submittal scheduled for 2023.

Annual & Semi-Annual EPA/DEP Regulatory Reports

The City of Fitchburg Department of Public Works Wastewater Division is required to submit annual and semi annual reports to regulatory agencies per the 2012 Consent Decree.. 

ANNUAL EPA INSPECTION REPORT

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”)   (“inspection team”) conducts an announced inspection of the City of Fitchburg (“City”) Wastewater Treatment Facilities under EPA’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (“NPDES”) individual discharge permitting program. The inspection included the Fitchburg East Wastewater Treatment Facility (the “Facility” or the “Site”) as well as a discussion of the City’s collection system and Combined Sewer Overflows (“CSOs”).

       Inspection Report (7.20.2022)


SEMI ANNUAL EPA/DEP PROGRESS REPORT

The Semi Annual progress reports are submitted twice a year per the 2012 Consent Decree between the City and the EPA, MassDEP, and the US Department of Justice. The report contains all activities the City has taken within the past 6-months in order to come into compliance the United States Clean Water Act and the Consent Decree.

ANNUAL SANITARY SEWER OVERFLOWS & COMBINED SEWER OVERFLOWS REPORT

ANNUAL SUMMARY OF COMBINED SEWER OVERFLOWS MONITORING & OVERFLOWS REPORT