Overview
Cumberland STP serves approximately 2,463 residents in Cumberland, Kentucky. The plant operates under U.S. Clean Water Act regulations, with oversight from state and federal environmental agencies.
Cumberland STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Cumberland, Kentucky, serving a population of about 2,463. The plant is situated along River Road in Harlan County, within the Appalachian region of the United States. As a small-scale facility, Cumberland STP is subject to the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal wastewater. The plant's discharge is regulated under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, administered by the Kentucky Division of Water. Typical treatment for plants of this size includes primary and secondary processes to meet effluent limits. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into a nearby waterway that ultimately flows into the Cumberland River system, part of the larger Ohio River basin. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and provides drinking water for downstream communities. Proper treatment helps protect water quality in this ecologically sensitive region.
Environmental context
Cumberland STP discharges into a tributary of the Cumberland River, which flows through the Appalachian region before joining the Ohio River. The Cumberland River basin supports a variety of fish species and provides habitat for freshwater mussels. The plant's location in a mountainous area means the receiving waters are sensitive to nutrient loading and sedimentation, requiring effective treatment to maintain ecological balance.
Frequently asked questions
Cumberland STP is located at 387 River Road in Cumberland, Kentucky, within Harlan County in the Appalachian region of the United States.
Cumberland STP serves approximately 2,463 residents in the city of Cumberland and surrounding areas.
The plant discharges treated effluent into a local waterway that flows into the Cumberland River system, part of the Ohio River basin.
Cumberland STP operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, with NPDES permits issued by the Kentucky Division of Water. These permits set effluent limits to protect water quality.
For a small municipal plant like Cumberland STP, typical treatment includes primary sedimentation and secondary biological treatment, often using activated sludge or trickling filters, to meet secondary treatment standards under the Clean Water Act.
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