Adaptation options to protect against sea level rise, coastal floods, and storm surge at the Ogunquit, Maine wastewater treatment plant

摘要

The Ogunquit wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) is in a regulated coastal sand dune system and coastal barrier resource system (CBRS), between the Ogunquit River estuary and the Gulf of Maine. The facility has flooded during major historic storm events and faces ever-increasing risks from such events because of rising sea levels and greater storm frequency. Adaptation options to address potential flooding, storm surge, and sea level rise (SLR) were desired. A study assessed the aforementioned risks, along with anticipated changes in regulatory requirements, aging infrastructure, changes in population demographics, and increased competition for funding. This study also outlined mitigation strategies. Regulatory limitations, aging infrastructure, and anticipated SLR impacts suggest that there is no practical long-term solution that would allow the town to continue using the existing WWTP site beyond 2032-2052, given Ogunquit Sewage District's current risk tolerance.