BERK CO PSSD AUSTIN WWTP - Berkeley County, West Virginia Wastewater Treatment Plant

The BERK CO PSSD AUSTIN WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Berkeley County, West Virginia, United States. It serves a small population of approximately 78 residents, reflecting its role in a rural or suburban community. The plant is situated near Shepherdstown Road, within the broader Potomac River watershed. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by the US Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater facilities. With a designed capacity of 30.28 million gallons per day and an actual discharge volume of 11.36 million gallons per day, the plant operates well below its capacity, indicating room for future growth or seasonal variability. The facility is regulated under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, administered by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. The treated effluent from the plant is discharged into local streams that flow into the Potomac River, a major waterway that drains into the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay is a large estuary of ecological and economic importance, supporting diverse aquatic life and migratory birds. The plant's operations contribute to protecting water quality in this sensitive watershed.

The plant discharges into local tributaries of the Potomac River, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. The Chesapeake Bay watershed supports a rich ecosystem, including blue crabs, oysters, and migratory fish. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient and pollutant loads, mitigating impacts on downstream water quality and aquatic habitats.