Wastewater Division

The Industrial Pretreatment Program responsibilities are to permit, inspect and sample all industries in the North Attleboro and Plainville area that discharge industrial wastewater to the Town's sewer system. This prevents the introduction of pollutants into the Wastewater Treatment Facility, which would interfere with the operation of the plant, including interference with its use or disposal of municipal sludge. This also prevents the introduction of pollutants into the Wastewater Treatment Facility that might pass through the treatment works or is incompatible with such works; and improves the opportunities to recycle and reclaim municipal and industrial wastewater and sludge. In March of 2010, the Board of Public Works approved the implementation of the Phase II program.

• Phase II Program
• Fats, Oil and Grease Program

Fats, Oil and Grease

The North Attleborough Wastewater Division would like to remind everyone to keep cooking oils and grease from sewer and storm drains. Fats, oils, and grease (FOG) are a significant cause of clogs and spills in household and restaurant plumbing and public sewer lines. When FOG gets into the sewer line, it sticks to pipe walls, creating significant blockages when it cools. FOG blockages in the sewer line can quickly increase the likelihood of a sanitary sewer overflow in both the public sewer lines and your home. A preventative solution is to throw leftover FOG into a compost bin or trash instead of pouring them down the drain. If you use a paper towel to wipe FOG from cooking utensils, dishes, and pots, put the towel in the compost bin or trash. This simple measure will help reduce the risk of a sanitary sewer overflow occurring. Please reach out to us at 508-695-7790 if you have any questions about the program and please take a look at the attached flyer for more information.

The Town of North Attleborough's Sanitary Sewer Collection System consists of approximately 57 miles of sewer pipes, manholes, and appurtenances, which flow down to the Wastewater Treatment Facility. A team of four personnel maintains the collection system.

The collection system's first pipes were installed in 1910. The system currently is comprised of six different types of pipe with varying sizes and service life. The service life of sewer pipes is determined by the pipe's structural integrity, materials and the connections that join them. The pipe material used in North Attleboro and its anticipated service life are as follows:

Total 56.66 Miles

Collection System Operation & Maintenance

Although most people associate proper operation and maintenance (O&M) with wastewater pump stations, other components of the wastewater collection system also require continuous O&M. Comprehensive O&M is necessary to ensure that the collection system reliably transports wastewater from individual users to the treatment facility. A successful O&M program for a wastewater collection system provides many benefits including:

• Elimination of backups/overflows and associated public health hazards
• Utilization of the full hydraulic capacity of the system
• Extended service life and protection of capital investment in the collection system
• Reduced operating and capital costs
• Safer work environment resulting in fewer accidents and compensation claims
• Minimized damage to public/private property associated claims and liability

Visual Inspection & Cleaning

Visual inspection and cleaning of the collection system is performed on a routine basis, not just in response to complaints or blockages. In an effort to ensure that all of the lines are routinely cleaned within a reasonable period of time, the Division's goal is to clean the entire system every five to ten years.

Manhole Inspection

Every manhole that is opened and used for routine cleaning is inspected. Following this general rule will ensure that all manholes within the system are inspected every five to ten years.

TV Inspection

The internal inspection of the collection system is done via close circuit television. This is accomplished by using a sewer "camera truck". TV inspection provides a continuous view of lengths of pipe up to 1,000 feet that are otherwise inaccessible. This method provides for identification of sources of infiltration, inflow, root intrusion, structural defects, and poor joint condition.

Siphons

Siphons are inspected and maintained on a regular basis to ensure proper operation. The town has two siphons, which are located on Mt. Hope street and North Avenue. In general, siphons are inspected once a week to ensure that they are functioning properly. The key to maintaining a siphon is to maintain the sewer lines in the tributary area. By ensuring that debris is regularly removed from all of the sewer lines that flow into the siphon, accumulation of debris within the siphon can be minimized.

The North Attleborough Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) collects and treats an average of 3.1 million gallons per day of industrial and domestic wastewater from the Town as well as the Town of Plainville