Overview
ALACHUA WWTP serves approximately 5,500 residents in Alachua, Florida. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which mandates secondary treatment for municipal wastewater facilities.
ALACHUA WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Alachua, Florida, serving a population of about 5,500. The plant is situated in the northern part of the state, an area characterized by a humid subtropical climate and numerous freshwater springs and rivers. As a U.S. facility, the plant operates under the Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal wastewater. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program governs its discharge, ensuring compliance with water quality standards. For a plant serving a small community, typical treatment includes biological processes followed by disinfection. The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that ultimately drain into the Santa Fe River, a major tributary of the Suwannee River, which flows to the Gulf of Mexico. The Santa Fe River is known for its spring-fed flows and supports diverse aquatic life, including manatees and various fish species. Protecting this watershed is critical for maintaining regional water quality and ecological health.
Environmental context
The plant's discharge enters the Santa Fe River basin, which feeds into the Suwannee River and eventually the Gulf of Mexico. This watershed is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse aquatic habitats including spring runs and wetlands. The Suwannee River is a major blackwater river that provides critical habitat for threatened species like the Gulf sturgeon and supports extensive recreational fisheries.
Frequently asked questions
ALACHUA WWTP is located in Alachua, Florida, United States, near Northwest 154th Avenue in Alachua County.
The plant serves approximately 5,500 residents in the Alachua area.
The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that flow into the Santa Fe River, a tributary of the Suwannee River, which ultimately reaches the Gulf of Mexico.
As a U.S. facility, ALACHUA WWTP operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
For a small community plant in Florida, typical treatment includes secondary biological treatment (such as activated sludge or trickling filters) followed by disinfection (chlorination or UV) to meet state water quality standards.
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