Archie Elledge WWTP - Winston-Salem, North Carolina Wastewater Treatment

Archie Elledge WWTP is a major wastewater treatment facility located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, serving a population of approximately 124,272. As a large municipal plant, it plays a critical role in managing the region's wastewater and protecting public health. Under the U. S. Clean Water Act, plants of this scale are required to meet secondary treatment standards through National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits. The facility's treatment processes are designed to comply with state and federal regulations, ensuring effluent quality before discharge. The plant's treated effluent flows into the Yadkin-Pee Dee River basin, which ultimately drains to the Atlantic Ocean. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and provides drinking water for downstream communities, making effective treatment essential for environmental protection.

The plant discharges into the Yadkin-Pee Dee River basin, a major watershed that flows through North Carolina and South Carolina before reaching the Atlantic Ocean. This river system supports diverse fish populations and provides habitat for migratory species. Downstream waters are used for recreation and drinking water, requiring stringent treatment to minimize nutrient loading and protect aquatic ecosystems.