Benham Wastewater Treatment Plant, Kentucky | Small Community Facility

The Benham wastewater treatment plant is located in Benham, Kentucky, a small town in Harlan County within the Appalachian region. It serves a population of 715 residents, making it a small-scale municipal facility. The plant operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal wastewater discharges. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard biological process that removes biodegradable organic matter and suspended solids. Its designed capacity is 946.35 cubic meters per day, and the current discharge volume matches this capacity, indicating full utilization. As a small facility, it is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Kentucky Division of Water, ensuring compliance with water quality standards. The treated effluent is discharged into a local stream that flows into the Cumberland River system, part of the Ohio River basin. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and provides drinking water for downstream communities. The plant's operation helps protect the water quality of these rivers, which are important for recreation and ecology in the region.

The plant discharges into a tributary of the Cumberland River, which flows through the Appalachian Mountains and eventually joins the Ohio River. This watershed supports a variety of fish and macroinvertebrate species, and the river is used for recreation and water supply. The secondary treatment process helps reduce nutrient and organic loads, protecting downstream water quality in this ecologically sensitive region.