Elk Neck State Park, Elk Neck

Overview

Elk Neck State Park wastewater treatment plant in Maryland serves 900 people with secondary treatment. It discharges 37.85 megaliters annually and is located within 10 km of the coast.

Elk Neck State Park wastewater treatment plant is located in Elk Neck, Cecil County, Maryland, United States. It serves a small population of 900 people, typical of a state park facility. The plant operates secondary treatment, which is the standard minimum under the US Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater. The plant has a designed capacity of 151.42 megaliters and discharges 37.85 megaliters annually, indicating it operates well below capacity. As a US facility, it is regulated under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality. The plant is situated within 10 km of the coast, likely discharging into the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States, supporting diverse aquatic life and important fisheries. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient loads to this sensitive ecosystem.

Environmental context

The plant is located near the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the US, which receives freshwater from over 150 rivers and streams. The bay supports a complex ecosystem including blue crabs, oysters, and migratory fish. Nutrient pollution from wastewater is a key concern, and secondary treatment helps mitigate impacts on water quality and aquatic habitats.

Frequently asked questions

The plant is located on Turkey Point Road in Elk Neck, Cecil County, Maryland, United States, within Elk Neck State Park.

The plant serves a population of 900 people, consistent with a state park facility serving visitors and staff.

The plant discharges treated wastewater into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Chesapeake Bay. The discharge volume is 37.85 megaliters per year.

The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the minimum standard required under the US Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater treatment plants.

As a US facility, it operates under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.