BEDFORD BORO STP, Bedford Township

Overview

BEDFORD BORO STP serves Bedford Township, Pennsylvania, treating wastewater for approximately 3,505 residents. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act's NPDES permit program.

BEDFORD BORO STP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Bedford Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania. It serves a population of about 3,505 people, classifying it as a small-scale facility within the state's wastewater infrastructure. As a US-based plant, it operates under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program established by the Clean Water Act. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection typically issues permits for such facilities, setting effluent limits to protect water quality. For a plant of this size, secondary treatment is the standard requirement. The plant discharges treated effluent into a local waterway within the Potomac River basin, which ultimately drains into the Chesapeake Bay. This connection to the Chesapeake Bay watershed underscores the plant's role in regional water quality and ecosystem health.

Environmental context

The plant's discharge enters a tributary of the Potomac River, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. The Chesapeake Bay supports diverse aquatic life, including blue crabs, oysters, and migratory fish. Nutrient and sediment control from upstream facilities like this one is critical to mitigating eutrophication and maintaining bay health.

Frequently asked questions

BEDFORD BORO STP is located in Bedford Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania, United States.

The plant serves approximately 3,505 residents, making it a small-scale municipal wastewater treatment facility.

The plant discharges treated effluent into a local waterway that flows into the Potomac River basin, ultimately reaching the Chesapeake Bay.

As a US plant, it operates under the Clean Water Act's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), with permits issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

For small plants of this size, secondary treatment is standard, which typically involves biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids.