Overview
California STP serves the borough of California, Pennsylvania, treating wastewater for approximately 7,946 residents. The plant discharges into the Monongahela River basin, contributing to the Ohio River watershed.
California STP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in California, Pennsylvania, a borough in Washington County. Serving a population of around 7,946, the plant is part of the region's infrastructure managed under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires NPDES permits for discharges to surface waters. As a facility serving a small agglomeration, typical treatment for plants of this scale in Pennsylvania includes secondary treatment, often with disinfection, to meet state and federal water quality standards. The plant's operations are regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into a tributary of the Monongahela River, which flows north to join the Allegheny River at Pittsburgh, forming the Ohio River. The Ohio River then drains to the Mississippi River and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico. The local watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is important for recreation and drinking water supplies downstream.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Monongahela River basin, part of the larger Ohio River watershed. The Monongahela River provides habitat for various fish species and is a key water source for communities downstream. The river's health is influenced by nutrient loads and other pollutants from municipal and industrial sources, making treatment plant performance critical for maintaining water quality in this ecologically and economically important waterway.
Frequently asked questions
California STP is located on Plum Way in California, Washington County, Pennsylvania, United States.
California STP serves approximately 7,946 residents in the borough of California and surrounding areas.
The plant discharges treated effluent into a tributary of the Monongahela River, which flows into the Ohio River and eventually the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico.
California STP operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, requiring an NPDES permit issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) to ensure discharges meet water quality standards.
For a plant of this size in Pennsylvania, typical treatment includes secondary treatment (biological process) followed by disinfection, often with phosphorus removal if the receiving water is sensitive.
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