Wastewater

ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS


Wastewater discharges from the University operate under an EPA issued National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit in compliance with the Massachusetts Clean Waters Act. The wastewater discharged into the Cape Cod Canal meets or exceeds all permit requirements. Those parameters that indicate “no limit” are still treated to the best of our ability to protect the environment. 

Water Conservation Projects + Buildings Tied into the System

The current WWTP was permitted for use by the EPA in 2001. The NPDES permit has been renewed and approved every 5 years.

The WWTP permit allows for up to an average of 77,000 gallons per day (gpd) of treated water to be discharged with a maximum allowable discharge of 140,000 gpd. The average daily discharge from the WWTP is 55,000 gpd when cadets are on campus. The discharge volume drops significantly on weekends and between semesters and summer the average daily discharge is 10,000 gpd.

All waters flowing down drains and toilets are pumped and treated through the WWTP. Sources of wastewater include dormitory showers, toilet flushings, sinks, locker rooms, dining hall sinks and dishwasher waters, and laundry rooms.

When the TS Kennedy is docked at the pier during the year, the ship is connected to the wastewater collection system and wastewater is treated like all other wastewaters. However, when the TS Kennedy arrives back in port after Sea Term, the holding tank on the ship is offloaded and sent to an offsite treatment facility that can handle sea water.

The WWTP receives the wastewater from lift stations across the campus. The treatment system is a single batch reactor design with disk filter, activated sludge secondary type treatment plant followed by sand filters and ultra violet disinfection facilities, and sludge disposal. The plant was upgraded in 2015 with additional blowers, a new screening unit and additional pumps. 

  • The blowers handle oxygen depletion during treatment processes
  • The screening units remove heavier solids (i.e. mop heads, trash, clothing) that make it into the system via toilets or drains
  • The pumps are intended for future treatment to reduce nitrogen

The NPDES permit outlines all of the required testing parameters. Testing includes both the influent and effluent waters. The following is a summary of testing requirements:

Test Sample Frequency
pH 6.5 – 8.5 N/A
BOD 30 mg/l report weekly from composite sample
TSS 30 mg/l report weekly from composite sample
Settleable solids no limit report daily from grab sample
Fecal coliform  14/100 ml report weekly from grab sample
Enterococci 35/100 ml report weekly grab sample
Total Nitrogen  no limit report quarterly from composite sample
Total Kjeldahl nitrogen no limit report quarterly from composite sample
Total Ammonia (as N) no limit  report quarterly from composite sample
Whole effluent toxicity LC> 50% report annually from June composite sample

BOD (biological oxygen demand) and TSS (total suspended solids) are sampled and tested on both influent and effluent. Composite sample is collected over a 24 hour period.

All testing performed on samples from the WWTP are reported to the MaDEP and EPA per the permit.

The wastewater discharged into the canal meets or exceeds all permit requirements. Those parameters that indicate “no limit” are still treated to the best of our ability to protect the environment.

pH is adjusted using magnesium chloride, or Milk of Magnesia, to ensure a neutral level between 6.5  and 8.5. It is a much better alternative than other hydroxides that are highly corrosive. Magnesium hydroxide is nontoxic to aquatic plants and animals which is why we use it.

The total suspended solids, TSS, has a 98% removal rate in the treatment plant. The permit requires at least 85% removal rate. TSS is the amount of solid particles allowed to remain in the water when it’s discharged. 

Biological Oxygen Demand, BOD, has an average removal rate of 96%. The permit requires at least an 85% reduction. BOD is one of the contaminants that can lead to eutrophication along with nitrogen, however the WWTP is very effective at reducing BOD that would not contribute to problems in the canal or area tributaries.

Fecal coliform testing is completed in our lab and the Enterococci is sent out to an independent lab. These results routinely test zero with a rare testing between 2-10 colonies per 100 ml which is well below the permit limits. 

The annual toxicity test has been met since the test was required in 2011.

Nitrogen testing is a requirement of the permit but does not include limits on discharge levels. The wastewater is treated to reduce Nitrogen as effectively as possible with average reductions at 35 mg/l. 

Treated water is discharged through a dedicated pipe, across from the athletic field, that extends into the flow of the canal current located 12 feet below mean low tide.

Underwater

 

PLEASE NOTE 10/27/2023: The underwater camera will remain offline throughout the Maritime Pier  Construction project. 

 

A View Into the Blue Octopus® High Definition PTZ camera is maintained at 22 feet below water in the Academy Marine Lab seawater intake bay.  The camera is on a custom science array sensor rack that is moved weekly for maintenance (and sometimes moved by current and storms).  The view is predominantly benthic, with fish (sea perch, stripers, Tautog and other guests), crabs and lobsters active April through January.  Tides float seaweeds and marine snow in the water column driven by the 4 to 5 knot currents.  Occasionally as daylight fades, you can see the Water Quality YSI Exo-3 SONDE fluorescent sensor, measuring chlorophyll, pH, temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and other parameters.  A unique nitrate sensor on the submerged array is also recording data every 15 minutes, and all are displaying live readings in real time.  The data received can be viewed on the Massachusetts Maritime Academy Ocean Data Portal, hosted on our website.  If you see a white wiper blade go by, that is what keeps the dome clear and clean.