INVESTING IN AQUACULTURAL WASTE-WATER TECHNIQUES FOR IMPROVED WATER-QUALITY - A COASTAL COMMUNITY CASE-STUDY

As the cost of constructing and maintaining wastewater treatment plants increases, small communities are beginning to look towards possible alternatives to the existing energy intensive and cost prohibitive conventional treatment methods. This case study examines the economic feasibility of using aquaculture as a polishing treatment stage in the municipal wastewater treatment stabilization ponds in the coastal community of Damariscotta, Maine. Damariscotta has turned to stabilization ponds to handle their wastewater treatment and an abundance of the zooplankton Daphnia has developed in these ponds. The objective of this study is to examine the economic potential of using this Daphnia for aquacultural purposes while simultaneously improving the guality of the treatment facility's effluent. Golden shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas) is the fish species that is to be raised in these ponds. The costs of constructing the facility and the revenues generated through sale of the shiners are calculated in the economic analysis. Sensitivity analysis is performed on key variables to examine the range of possible economic returns for the community. This study determines that the potential does exist for positive economic returns to the town of Damariscotta through the use of this system.