Cape Vincent V STP - Secondary Wastewater Treatment in Village of Cape Vincent, New York

Cape Vincent V STP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in the Village of Cape Vincent, Jefferson County, New York. The plant serves a small population of 1,156 residents, providing secondary treatment to meet state and federal standards. Its location near the eastern shore of Lake Ontario places it in a sensitive coastal environment. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal facilities. With a designed capacity of 529.96 thousand gallons per day and an average discharge volume of 469.39 thousand gallons per day, the plant operates at approximately 89% capacity. The treatment process is secondary, ensuring removal of organic matter and suspended solids before discharge. The treated effluent is discharged into the St. Lawrence River watershed, which flows from Lake Ontario to the Atlantic Ocean. This water body supports diverse aquatic life and is an important migratory corridor for fish. The plant's coastal proximity requires careful management to protect downstream water quality and the ecological health of the river and lake system.

The plant discharges into the St. Lawrence River, which originates from Lake Ontario and flows northeast to the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Atlantic Ocean. This watershed supports a variety of fish species, including lake sturgeon and walleye, and provides critical habitat for migratory birds. The coastal location within 10 km of Lake Ontario means that nutrient and pollutant loads from the plant can affect nearshore water quality and algal dynamics in the lake.