Elba V STP - Advanced Wastewater Treatment in Town of Elba, New York

Elba V STP is an advanced wastewater treatment facility located in the Town of Elba, Genesee County, New York. Serving a population of 696, the plant is part of the municipal infrastructure that manages wastewater for this rural community in western New York. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients and other pollutants. With a current discharge volume of 280.12 thousand gallons per day and a designed capacity of 302.83 thousand gallons per day, the facility operates below its capacity. Under the U.S. Clean Water Act, such plants are regulated through National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, ensuring compliance with water quality standards. The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that drain into the Genesee River watershed, eventually reaching Lake Ontario. This is ecologically significant as Lake Ontario is a major freshwater resource supporting diverse aquatic life and providing drinking water for millions. The plant's advanced treatment helps minimize nutrient loading, protecting the lake from eutrophication and harmful algal blooms.

The plant discharges into the Genesee River basin, which flows north into Lake Ontario, part of the Great Lakes system. Lake Ontario is a critical freshwater ecosystem supporting fish populations, migratory birds, and recreational activities. Advanced treatment at this plant reduces phosphorus and nitrogen loads, helping to prevent algal blooms and maintain water quality in the lake.