Back River WWTP - Major Wastewater Treatment Plant in Dundalk, Maryland

Back River WWTP is a major wastewater treatment facility located in Dundalk, Maryland, serving a population of approximately 998,745. It is situated near the Back River, a tidal estuary that flows into the Chesapeake Bay, one of the largest and most productive estuaries in the United States. The plant is a critical component of the region's wastewater infrastructure, handling a significant portion of Baltimore County's sewage. As a large-scale facility serving nearly one million people, Back River WWTP is subject to stringent regulations under the U. S. Clean Water Act, administered through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. The plant is expected to provide at least secondary treatment, with advanced treatment likely required to meet nutrient reduction goals for the Chesapeake Bay. The designed capacity of 1.00 (likely in million gallons per day) indicates a substantial treatment capability. The plant discharges treated effluent into the Back River, which flows into the Patapsco River and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay watershed is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse aquatic life including oysters, blue crabs, and migratory fish. Nutrient pollution from wastewater is a major concern, and the plant likely employs enhanced nutrient removal to help restore bay health.

Back River WWTP discharges into the Back River, a tidal tributary of the Patapsco River, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States and supports critical habitats for fish, shellfish, and waterfowl. The plant's discharge must comply with nutrient reduction targets to mitigate eutrophication and hypoxia in the bay, which are driven by nitrogen and phosphorus loads from wastewater and other sources.