Falling Creek WWTP, Bensley

Overview

Falling Creek WWTP in Bensley, Virginia serves approximately 40,829 people. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act and EPA NPDES permitting framework.

Falling Creek WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Bensley, Chesterfield County, Virginia, serving a population of about 40,829. The plant is part of the region's wastewater infrastructure, managing effluent from residential and commercial sources in the greater Richmond area. As a US facility, the plant operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. For a population of this size, secondary treatment is typically required, with additional nutrient removal standards in sensitive watersheds like the Chesapeake Bay. The plant's treated effluent discharges into local waterways that ultimately drain to the James River and then the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay is a large estuary of ecological significance, supporting diverse aquatic life and important fisheries. Nutrient management is critical in this watershed to prevent eutrophication and maintain water quality.

Environmental context

The plant's discharge enters tributaries of the James River, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. The Chesapeake Bay watershed is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse aquatic species and serving as a critical habitat for migratory birds and fish. Nutrient pollution from wastewater is a key concern, and the plant's treatment level must meet state and federal standards to protect downstream water quality.

Frequently asked questions

Falling Creek WWTP is located at 2216 Station Road, Bensley Village, Bensley, Chesterfield County, Virginia, United States.

The plant serves approximately 40,829 people in the Bensley area and surrounding parts of Chesterfield County.

The plant discharges treated effluent into local waterways that flow into the James River, which ultimately reaches the Chesapeake Bay.

As a US facility, Falling Creek WWTP operates under the Clean Water Act and is regulated by an EPA NPDES permit issued by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.

Plants of this scale typically provide secondary treatment, and in sensitive watersheds like the Chesapeake Bay, additional nutrient removal may be required to meet water quality standards.