Overview
DCNR Shawnee State Park STP in Napier Township, Pennsylvania, provides advanced wastewater treatment for approximately 6,325 people. The plant discharges 151.42 megaliters per year into the local watershed.
DCNR Shawnee State Park STP is a wastewater treatment facility located in Napier Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania, within the United States. The plant serves a population of about 6,325, primarily from the state park and surrounding areas, and operates under the regulatory framework of the US Clean Water Act, which requires National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for such discharges. The facility employs advanced treatment processes, ensuring a high level of pollutant removal before discharge. With a designed capacity of 189.27 megaliters per year and an actual discharge volume of 151.42 megaliters per year, the plant operates below its capacity, indicating effective management of current flows. The treated effluent is released into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Chesapeake Bay via the Susquehanna River system. This discharge contributes to the ecological health of the bay, supporting diverse aquatic life and maintaining water quality standards in a region known for its natural and recreational resources.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Potomac River watershed, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. The bay supports a rich ecosystem including blue crabs, oysters, and migratory fish. Advanced treatment helps reduce nutrient loads that can cause algal blooms and hypoxia in the bay.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located at State Park Road in Napier Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania, United States.
The plant serves approximately 6,325 people, primarily from Shawnee State Park and nearby areas.
The plant provides advanced treatment, which includes nutrient removal and disinfection beyond secondary treatment standards.
As a US facility, it operates under the Clean Water Act and requires an NPDES permit issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, ensuring compliance with discharge limits.
Plants of this scale in Pennsylvania commonly use advanced treatment to meet state water quality standards, especially when discharging into sensitive watersheds like the Chesapeake Bay basin.
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