Charles Town Willow Spring WWTP - Jefferson County, West Virginia Wastewater Treatment

Charles Town Willow Spring WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Jefferson County, West Virginia, United States. The plant serves a small community of approximately 1,006 residents, providing secondary treatment to meet local water quality standards. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal wastewater. Its designed capacity is 378.54 million gallons per day, with an average discharge volume of 280.12 million gallons per day, indicating moderate utilization. As a small facility, it is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting, ensuring compliance with effluent limits. The treated effluent is discharged into a local waterway that eventually drains into the Potomac River and then the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay is a large estuary with significant ecological importance, supporting diverse aquatic life and migratory species. The plant's operations contribute to protecting downstream water quality in this sensitive watershed.

The plant discharges into a tributary of the Potomac River, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. The Chesapeake Bay watershed supports a rich ecosystem, including blue crabs, oysters, and migratory fish. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient and pollutant loads, protecting the bay's water quality and aquatic habitats.