Bethesda WWTP and Sewer System - Advanced Wastewater Treatment in Bethesda, Ohio

Bethesda WWTP and Sewer System is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Bethesda, Belmont County, Ohio, United States. The plant serves a small population of 1,413 residents and operates with advanced treatment processes to ensure high-quality effluent. It is part of the local infrastructure managed by the village. The plant provides advanced treatment, which goes beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients and other pollutants. With a designed capacity of 1,173.47 thousand gallons per day and an average discharge volume of 541.31 thousand gallons per day, the facility operates well within its capacity. Under the U.S. Clean Water Act, such plants are regulated through National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. The treated effluent is discharged into a local receiving water body, which ultimately drains into the Ohio River watershed. The Ohio River is a major tributary of the Mississippi River, supporting diverse aquatic life and providing drinking water for millions. The plant's advanced treatment helps protect downstream water quality and aquatic ecosystems.

The plant discharges into a local stream that flows into the Ohio River basin, part of the larger Mississippi River watershed. The Ohio River supports a variety of fish species and is an important migratory corridor for birds. Advanced treatment at this plant reduces nutrient loading, helping to prevent algal blooms and maintain water quality in downstream rivers and lakes.