Clearfield STP - Wastewater Treatment Plant in Clearfield, Pennsylvania

Clearfield STP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, serving a population of about 19,385 residents. The facility is part of the region's infrastructure managed by local authorities, treating wastewater from the community before discharge. As a US-based plant serving a medium-sized agglomeration, Clearfield STP is subject to the Clean Water Act and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting. These regulations require secondary treatment as a baseline, with additional nutrient controls if the receiving waterbody is sensitive. The plant's design and operation must meet state and federal standards to protect public health and the environment. The treated effluent from Clearfield STP discharges into a local waterbody that ultimately drains into the West Branch Susquehanna River, a major tributary of the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay watershed is ecologically significant, supporting diverse aquatic life and facing challenges from nutrient pollution. The plant's discharge contributes to the overall water quality management in this large estuary system.

Clearfield STP discharges into a receiving waterbody that flows into the West Branch Susquehanna River, part of the Susquehanna River basin. This river system drains into the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. The Chesapeake Bay supports a rich ecosystem, including blue crabs, oysters, and migratory fish, but is vulnerable to nutrient enrichment. The plant's operations are therefore important for maintaining water quality in this sensitive downstream environment.