Bardstown Jerry L Riley STP - Kentucky Wastewater Treatment Plant

Bardstown Jerry L Riley STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Bardstown, Kentucky, serving a population of around 10,000. Situated in Nelson County, the plant is part of the region's infrastructure for managing domestic wastewater from the community. As a US facility, the plant operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting. For a plant serving approximately 10,000 people, secondary treatment is typically required, which is the national standard for municipal wastewater treatment. The plant's design and operation must meet effluent limits set by the Kentucky Division of Water. The treated effluent from the plant is discharged into a local waterway that eventually drains into the Salt River, a tributary of the Ohio River. The Ohio River flows into the Mississippi River and ultimately to the Gulf of Mexico. The plant plays a role in protecting the water quality of these downstream waters, supporting aquatic life and recreational uses.

The plant discharges into a local stream that is part of the Salt River watershed, which flows into the Ohio River and then the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico. This inland location means the effluent affects freshwater ecosystems, including fish and macroinvertebrate communities. The region's karst topography can make groundwater vulnerable to contamination, underscoring the importance of effective treatment.