Overview
Dothan Little Choctawhatchee WWTP serves approximately 44,000 residents in Dothan, Alabama. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the Little Choctawhatchee River, part of the Choctawhatchee River basin flowing to the Gulf of Mexico.
The Dothan Little Choctawhatchee WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Dothan, Alabama, serving a population of about 44,127. Situated in Dale County, the plant is part of the city's infrastructure for managing wastewater from residential and commercial sources. As a medium-sized agglomeration in the United States, the plant operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. These permits set effluent limits to protect water quality. Plants of this scale typically employ secondary treatment as a minimum, with potential for advanced treatment if required by the receiving water body. The treated effluent is discharged into the Little Choctawhatchee River, a tributary of the Choctawhatchee River, which flows southward into Choctawhatchee Bay and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor in the region.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Little Choctawhatchee River, which flows into the Choctawhatchee River and then to Choctawhatchee Bay on the Gulf Coast. The watershed supports a variety of fish and wildlife, including several species of freshwater mussels and migratory birds. The bay is a productive estuary that provides nursery habitat for marine species. Protecting water quality in this system is critical for maintaining ecological health and supporting local fisheries.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located on Clearwater Drive in Dothan, Dale County, Alabama, United States.
The plant serves approximately 44,127 residents in the Dothan area.
Treated effluent is discharged into the Little Choctawhatchee River, which flows into the Choctawhatchee River and eventually reaches Choctawhatchee Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.
The plant operates under the Clean Water Act and is required to have an NPDES permit issued by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality in the receiving stream.
Plants of this size in the US typically employ at least secondary treatment, which includes biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids. Some may also incorporate nutrient removal if required by the permit.
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