Overview
Chemung Co SD 1 STP serves approximately 20,000 residents in Chemung County, New York, as part of the county's municipal wastewater infrastructure. The plant discharges treated effluent into local waterways within the Susquehanna River basin.
Chemung Co SD 1 STP is a wastewater treatment facility located in Chemung County, New York, serving a population of about 20,342. The plant is situated in the Town of Elmira and is part of the county's solid waste and wastewater management system. As a medium-sized agglomeration, it plays a key role in treating domestic wastewater from the surrounding community. Under the U.S. Clean Water Act, plants of this scale are typically required to meet secondary treatment standards through National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The facility is expected to comply with federal and state effluent guidelines to protect water quality. The plant's treated effluent discharges into local streams that flow into the Chemung River, a tributary of the Susquehanna River. The Susquehanna River ultimately drains into the Chesapeake Bay, one of the largest estuaries in the United States. The plant's operations contribute to the protection of downstream aquatic ecosystems and the overall health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Chemung River watershed, which flows into the Susquehanna River and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay. This estuarine environment supports diverse aquatic life, including migratory fish species and critical habitats. Nutrient and pollutant loads from upstream sources, including wastewater plants, are a key concern for the bay's water quality and ecosystem health.
Frequently asked questions
Chemung Co SD 1 STP is located in Chemung County, New York, in the Town of Elmira, United States.
The plant serves approximately 20,342 residents in Chemung County.
The plant discharges treated effluent into local streams that flow into the Chemung River, a tributary of the Susquehanna River, which ultimately reaches the Chesapeake Bay.
The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires NPDES permits for wastewater discharges. Permits are issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, setting limits on pollutants to protect water quality.
Plants of this size in the U.S. typically provide secondary treatment, which includes biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids. Some may also incorporate nutrient removal if required by the receiving water body's sensitivity.
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