Chemung Co Elmira SD STP, Elmira

Overview

Chemung Co Elmira SD STP serves the City of Elmira, New York, treating wastewater for approximately 42,900 residents. The plant discharges into the Chemung River, part of the Susquehanna River basin.

Chemung Co Elmira SD STP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Southport, near the City of Elmira, New York. The facility serves a population of about 42,900 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under U.S. regulatory frameworks. As a publicly owned treatment works (POTW) in New York, the plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). The facility is expected to meet secondary treatment standards, which are typical for plants of this scale, to protect water quality in receiving waters. The plant discharges treated effluent into the Chemung River, a tributary of the Susquehanna River, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay watershed is ecologically significant, supporting diverse aquatic life and serving as a critical habitat for migratory fish species.

Environmental context

The Chemung River flows into the Susquehanna River, which ultimately drains into the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. The Chesapeake Bay ecosystem supports a wide range of aquatic species, including blue crabs, oysters, and migratory fish such as American shad and striped bass. Nutrient and pollutant loads from upstream sources, including wastewater treatment plants, can impact the bay's water quality and ecological health.

Frequently asked questions

The plant is located at 489 Milton Street, Southport, near the City of Elmira, New York, in Chemung County.

The plant serves approximately 42,900 residents in the Elmira area.

The plant discharges treated wastewater into the Chemung River, which flows into the Susquehanna River and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay.

Under the Clean Water Act, publicly owned treatment works must meet secondary treatment standards through National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, enforced by NYSDEC.

Plants of this scale in New York typically provide secondary treatment, which includes biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids, meeting EPA standards.