Caernarvon Morgantown STP - Advanced Wastewater Treatment in Caernarvon Township, Pennsylvania

Caernarvon Morgantown STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Caernarvon Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The plant serves a small population of 1,268 residents, reflecting its role in a rural community within the Susquehanna River basin. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, exceeding the secondary treatment standard required by the US Clean Water Act. With a designed capacity of 2,725.49 units, it operates well below its maximum, indicating reserve capacity for future growth. As a US facility, it operates under an EPA NPDES permit issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality. The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that drain into the Susquehanna River, ultimately reaching the Chesapeake Bay. The plant's advanced treatment helps reduce nutrient loads, supporting downstream ecosystems and contributing to regional efforts to restore the Chesapeake Bay's health.

The plant discharges into tributaries of the Susquehanna River, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. The Chesapeake Bay watershed is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse aquatic life including blue crabs, striped bass, and migratory waterfowl. Advanced treatment at this plant helps minimize nutrient pollution, which is critical for reducing algal blooms and maintaining oxygen levels in the bay.