Caneadea T Houghton SD STP - Houghton, New York Wastewater Treatment Plant

Caneadea T Houghton SD STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Houghton, Town of Caneadea, Allegany County, New York. The plant serves a population of approximately 2,523 and is part of the region's wastewater infrastructure. It is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and discharges into local waterways. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by the US Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater. With a designed capacity of 1,059.91 million gallons per year and an actual discharge volume of 511.03 million gallons, the facility operates below its capacity. As a US plant, it is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, ensuring compliance with effluent limits. The treated effluent is discharged into the Genesee River watershed, which flows northward through New York into Lake Ontario. This water body supports diverse aquatic life and is an important resource for recreation and drinking water. The plant's operations help protect downstream water quality in the Genesee River and Lake Ontario.

The plant discharges into the Genesee River basin, which drains into Lake Ontario, part of the Great Lakes system. The Genesee River supports a variety of fish species and is used for recreation. Protecting this watershed is critical for maintaining water quality in Lake Ontario, which provides drinking water to millions and sustains a complex ecosystem.