Donalsonville Wastewater Treatment Plant | Georgia, USA

The Donalsonville wastewater treatment plant is located in Donalsonville, Georgia, United States. It serves a population of 3,127 and operates with secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by the US Clean Water Act for municipal plants of this scale. The plant has a designed capacity of 3,785.40 thousand cubic meters and discharges 681.37 thousand cubic meters of treated wastewater annually. As a secondary treatment facility, the plant meets the minimum requirements under the US Clean Water Act's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids, ensuring the effluent meets water quality standards before discharge. The plant's capacity utilization suggests it operates well below its design capacity, indicating room for future growth. The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body, likely a tributary of the Apalachicola River system, which flows south into the Apalachicola Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor in the southeastern United States. The plant's operations are regulated to protect downstream water quality and aquatic habitats.

The plant discharges into the Apalachicola River basin, which drains into Apalachicola Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. This watershed supports a rich diversity of fish, shellfish, and migratory birds. The bay is an ecologically sensitive estuary that relies on clean freshwater inflows to maintain its productivity. Secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient and pollutant loads, protecting downstream ecosystems.