Chilhowie STP and COLLSYS - Wastewater Treatment Plant in Chilhowie, Virginia

Chilhowie STP and COLLSYS is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Chilhowie, Smyth County, Virginia. The plant serves a population of around 3,165 residents, placing it in the small community category typical of rural Appalachian towns. Its location at 212 Shop Road places it within the Middle Fork Holston River watershed, part of the larger Tennessee River basin. As a US facility, the plant operates under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program established by the Clean Water Act. For small communities like Chilhowie, secondary treatment is the standard requirement, though specific treatment processes and capacity details are not publicly available in this record. The plant's design and operation are overseen by state and federal environmental agencies to ensure compliance with water quality standards. The treated effluent from the plant ultimately discharges into the Middle Fork Holston River, which flows into the South Fork Holston River, then into the Holston River, and eventually into the Tennessee River. This river system supports diverse aquatic life and provides drinking water for downstream communities. The plant plays a crucial role in protecting water quality in this ecologically sensitive region, which is part of the broader Tennessee Valley watershed.

The plant discharges into the Middle Fork Holston River, a tributary of the Holston River system that flows into the Tennessee River. This watershed supports diverse aquatic species, including several native fish and mussel populations. The region's karst topography and agricultural land use make proper wastewater treatment essential to prevent nutrient pollution and protect downstream water quality.