Amherst T WWTP 16 and Onsites, Buffalo

Overview

Amherst T WWTP 16 and Onsites serves approximately 119,000 people in Buffalo, New York. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the Niagara River watershed, which flows into Lake Ontario.

Amherst T WWTP 16 and Onsites is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located at 455 Tonawanda Creek Road in Buffalo, New York. Serving a population of about 119,000, it is a large-scale plant within the Erie County wastewater infrastructure. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 million gallons per day, indicating a substantial treatment capability. As a facility in the United States, the plant operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. For a plant of this size, secondary treatment is typically required, with additional nutrient removal standards applicable to Great Lakes watersheds. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the Niagara River watershed, which flows northward into Lake Ontario. Lake Ontario is part of the Great Lakes system, a critical freshwater resource supporting diverse aquatic life and providing drinking water for millions. The plant plays a key role in protecting water quality in this sensitive ecosystem.

Environmental context

The plant discharges into the Niagara River, which flows from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. Lake Ontario is the easternmost Great Lake and supports a diverse aquatic ecosystem, including native fish species such as lake trout and walleye. The watershed is ecologically sensitive due to its role in the Great Lakes system, which provides drinking water and recreational opportunities for millions of people.

Frequently asked questions

The plant is located at 455 Tonawanda Creek Road in Buffalo, New York, within Erie County.

The plant serves approximately 119,000 people in the Amherst and Buffalo areas.

The plant discharges treated effluent into the Niagara River watershed, which flows into Lake Ontario.

As a US facility, it operates under the Clean Water Act and is regulated by an NPDES permit issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Plants of this scale typically provide secondary treatment, and those discharging to Great Lakes watersheds may also require advanced nutrient removal to protect water quality.