Cedar Key STP - Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant in Cedar Key, Florida

Cedar Key STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Cedar Key, Florida, a small coastal community on the Gulf of Mexico. The plant serves a population of approximately 1,152 residents and operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Clean Water Act, which governs wastewater discharges through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). The plant provides advanced treatment, which goes beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, reducing the risk of eutrophication in sensitive coastal waters. With a designed capacity of 1,135.62 million gallons per year and an actual discharge volume of 340.69 million gallons per year, the facility operates well below its capacity, indicating room for future growth. The treated effluent is discharged into the Gulf of Mexico, a marine ecosystem that supports diverse aquatic life, including seagrass beds, oyster reefs, and fisheries. The plant's advanced treatment helps protect water quality in the surrounding estuaries and coastal habitats, which are important for recreation and commercial fishing.

Cedar Key STP discharges into the Gulf of Mexico, a major marine basin that receives drainage from the Florida peninsula. The local watershed includes tidal creeks and salt marshes that provide critical habitat for fish, birds, and invertebrates. The advanced treatment process reduces nutrient loading, helping to prevent harmful algal blooms and maintain the ecological health of the coastal zone.