Clarksville WWTP - Wastewater Treatment Plant in Clarksville, Tennessee

Clarksville WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Clarksville, Tennessee, serving a population of around 140,000. The plant is situated along the Cumberland River, which flows through the city and provides a vital water resource for the region. As a large agglomeration, the facility plays a key role in protecting public health and the local aquatic environment. Under the U. S. Clean Water Act, plants of this scale are typically required to meet secondary treatment standards through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. The permit, issued by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, sets effluent limits to ensure the treated water meets water quality standards before discharge. Advanced treatment may be required if the receiving water body is sensitive or if the plant serves a rapidly growing area. The treated effluent is discharged into the Cumberland River, which flows westward to join the Ohio River at Smithland, Kentucky. The Ohio River then drains into the Mississippi River, ultimately reaching the Gulf of Mexico. The Cumberland River supports diverse aquatic life and is used for recreation, drinking water, and industrial purposes downstream. The plant's operations are critical to maintaining water quality in this major river system.

The Clarksville WWTP discharges into the Cumberland River, a major tributary of the Ohio River system. The Cumberland River flows through a mix of urban, agricultural, and forested landscapes before joining the Ohio River. This river supports a variety of fish species and provides habitat for freshwater mussels. Downstream, the Ohio River merges with the Mississippi River, which empties into the Gulf of Mexico. The plant's effluent must meet water quality standards to protect these downstream ecosystems and human uses.