BJWSA Marine Corps Air Station Wastewater Treatment Plant, Beaufort, South Carolina

BJWSA Marine Corps Air Station is a wastewater treatment plant located in Beaufort, South Carolina, serving a population of 4,200. The plant is operated by the Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority (BJWSA) and supports the Marine Corps Air Station as well as the surrounding community. As a facility in the United States, the plant operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). For a plant serving a population of this size, secondary treatment is typically required, with additional nutrient removal standards applicable in sensitive watersheds. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Beaufort River and the Atlantic Ocean. The region's coastal environment supports diverse aquatic life, including estuarine habitats that are important for fisheries and migratory birds.

The plant discharges into the Beaufort River, a tidal river that flows into Port Royal Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. This coastal watershed supports critical estuarine habitats, including salt marshes and oyster reefs, which provide nursery grounds for fish and shellfish. The area is ecologically sensitive due to its role in maintaining water quality and biodiversity in the South Carolina Lowcountry.