Chesterville WWTP and Sewer System - Advanced Wastewater Treatment in Ohio

The Chesterville WWTP and Sewer System is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Chesterville, Ohio, within Morrow County. It serves a small population of 340 residents, reflecting the rural character of the area. The plant is situated on Township Highway 248 and operates under the regulatory framework of the United States Clean Water Act, which governs wastewater discharges through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. The facility provides advanced treatment, which goes beyond the secondary treatment standard required by the Clean Water Act for municipal plants. Advanced treatment typically includes nutrient removal (nitrogen and phosphorus) or additional filtration to meet stringent water quality standards. The plant's designed capacity is 359.61 million gallons per year, and it currently treats an annual discharge volume of 155.20 million gallons, indicating operational capacity well below its design limit. The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body, likely a tributary of the Olentangy River or the Scioto River system, which ultimately drains into the Ohio River and then the Mississippi River. The plant's advanced treatment helps protect downstream aquatic ecosystems and supports the overall health of the Ohio River basin, which is a major source of drinking water and habitat for diverse species.

The plant discharges into a local stream that is part of the Olentangy River watershed, which flows into the Scioto River and then the Ohio River. The Ohio River is a major tributary of the Mississippi River, ultimately reaching the Gulf of Mexico. The watershed supports diverse aquatic life, including fish species such as smallmouth bass and channel catfish, and provides habitat for migratory birds. Advanced treatment at the plant helps reduce nutrient loading, which can cause algal blooms and hypoxic zones downstream.