ARBUCKLE PSD Wastewater Treatment Plant, Oak Hill, West Virginia

ARBUCKLE PSD is a wastewater treatment plant located in Oak Hill, Fayette County, West Virginia. It serves a small community of about 1,952 residents, providing essential sanitation services in the Appalachian region. The plant is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and its operations are subject to federal and state environmental regulations. As a small-scale facility in the United States, ARBUCKLE PSD operates under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, which is part of the Clean Water Act. This regulatory framework requires treatment plants to meet specific effluent limits to protect water quality. Plants of this size typically employ secondary treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge. The plant's treated effluent is released into local waterways that drain into the New River or Kanawha River system, ultimately reaching the Ohio River and Mississippi River basin. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and provides drinking water for downstream communities. Proper treatment at ARBUCKLE PSD helps maintain the ecological health of these rivers and their tributaries.

ARBUCKLE PSD discharges into the local watershed, which is part of the larger New River and Kanawha River system. These rivers flow into the Ohio River, a major tributary of the Mississippi River, which empties into the Gulf of Mexico. The Appalachian region's streams support diverse aquatic species, including native fish and macroinvertebrates, and provide habitat for migratory birds. Effective wastewater treatment is crucial to prevent nutrient pollution and protect downstream water quality.