Annapolis City WWTP, Annapolis

Overview

Annapolis City WWTP serves 43,538 people in Annapolis, Maryland, as part of the region's municipal wastewater infrastructure. The plant is located within 50 km of the coast, discharging into the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Annapolis City WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility serving approximately 43,538 residents in Annapolis, Maryland, United States. Located in Anne Arundel County, the plant plays a key role in managing wastewater from the state capital and its surrounding communities. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for all discharges. For a facility of this scale serving a population of over 40,000, secondary treatment is typically mandated, with additional nutrient removal requirements common in the Chesapeake Bay watershed to address eutrophication. The plant's treated effluent ultimately reaches the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. This water body supports diverse aquatic life, including blue crabs, oysters, and striped bass, and is a critical migratory corridor for waterfowl. The plant's discharge contributes to the bay's nutrient load, making advanced treatment important for local water quality.

Environmental context

The plant discharges into the Chesapeake Bay watershed, which drains into the Atlantic Ocean. The Chesapeake Bay is an ecologically sensitive estuary that supports diverse aquatic life, including blue crabs, oysters, and striped bass, and serves as a critical migratory corridor for waterfowl. Nutrient pollution from wastewater is a key concern, driving regulatory requirements for enhanced nutrient removal in the region.

Frequently asked questions

Annapolis City WWTP is located at 1008 Chesapeake Harbour Drive, Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States.

The plant serves approximately 43,538 people in the Annapolis area.

The plant discharges treated effluent into the Chesapeake Bay watershed, which ultimately drains into the Atlantic Ocean.

The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, requiring an NPDES permit issued by the Maryland Department of the Environment. For a facility serving over 40,000 people, secondary treatment is standard, with additional nutrient removal likely required to protect the Chesapeake Bay.

Plants of this scale in the U.S. typically provide secondary treatment as a minimum. In sensitive watersheds like the Chesapeake Bay, enhanced nutrient removal (tertiary treatment) is often required to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus loads.