Overview
Bedford STP serves approximately 7,200 residents in Bedford, Virginia. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which regulates wastewater discharges to protect local waterways.
Bedford STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Bedford, Virginia, serving a population of about 7,200. The plant is part of the town's infrastructure, managed by local authorities to treat domestic wastewater from the community. As a U.S. facility, Bedford STP operates under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, established by the Clean Water Act. This regulatory framework requires treatment plants to meet specific effluent limits to protect water quality. For a plant of this scale, secondary treatment is typically mandated, ensuring removal of organic matter and suspended solids. The treated effluent from Bedford STP is discharged into a receiving water body that ultimately flows into the James River watershed, which drains to the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay is a large estuary of ecological significance, supporting diverse aquatic life and important fisheries. The plant's discharge contributes to the overall nutrient and pollutant load in the watershed, making effective treatment crucial for bay health.
Environmental context
Bedford STP discharges into a tributary of the James River, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. The Chesapeake Bay watershed supports diverse aquatic life, including blue crabs, oysters, and migratory fish. Nutrient pollution from wastewater can contribute to algal blooms and hypoxia, so the plant's treatment performance is important for downstream water quality.
Frequently asked questions
Bedford STP is located at 852 Orange Street in Bedford, Virginia, United States.
Bedford STP serves approximately 7,200 residents in the town of Bedford and surrounding areas.
The plant discharges treated effluent into a local waterway that flows into the James River, ultimately reaching the Chesapeake Bay.
Bedford STP operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires an NPDES permit to regulate discharges and ensure compliance with water quality standards.
For a plant of this size, secondary treatment is typically required under the Clean Water Act, which removes at least 85% of organic matter and suspended solids.
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