Coolbaugh Township STP: Wastewater Treatment in Monroe County, Pennsylvania

Coolbaugh Township STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Coolbaugh Township, Monroe County, Pennsylvania. The plant serves a population of about 5,711 people, placing it in the small-to-medium agglomeration category for US wastewater infrastructure. Under the US Clean Water Act, wastewater treatment plants of this scale are typically required to provide secondary treatment, with permits issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The plant's discharge is regulated through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality. The treated effluent from the plant is discharged into local waterways that drain into the Delaware River Basin, a major watershed supporting diverse aquatic life and providing drinking water for millions. The plant plays a key role in maintaining water quality in the Pocono region's streams and rivers.

The plant discharges into tributaries of the Delaware River, which flows into Delaware Bay and ultimately the Atlantic Ocean. The Delaware River Basin supports a rich ecosystem, including migratory fish species such as American shad and Atlantic sturgeon. Protecting water quality in this basin is critical for both ecological health and downstream water supplies.