CRESENT BEACH WWTP - Horry County, South Carolina Wastewater Treatment Plant

CRESENT BEACH WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility serving Horry County, South Carolina, a coastal area in the southeastern United States. The plant serves a population of approximately 45,689, placing it in the medium-sized agglomeration category. Its location near the Atlantic coast influences its operational and environmental considerations. As a U.S. facility, the plant operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. For plants serving populations over 10,000, secondary treatment is typically required, and additional nutrient removal may be mandated for sensitive coastal waters. The designed capacity is 1.00 million gallons per day, indicating the plant's scale. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that drain to the Atlantic Ocean, contributing to the coastal ecosystem. The region supports diverse aquatic life, including estuarine habitats important for fish and shellfish. Proper treatment is critical to protect water quality in the downstream environment, which includes recreational and ecological areas.

The plant discharges into receiving waters that flow to the Atlantic Ocean via the coastal plain of South Carolina. This watershed supports estuarine and marine habitats, including salt marshes and tidal creeks that are vital for fish, crabs, and migratory birds. Nutrient loading from wastewater can impact these sensitive ecosystems, making effective treatment essential for maintaining water quality and ecological balance.