FORDSVILLE STP - Advanced Wastewater Treatment in Ohio County, Kentucky

FORDSVILLE STP is an advanced wastewater treatment facility located in Ohio County, Kentucky, serving a small population of 531 residents. The plant is situated near National Office Furniture along KY 69, operating as part of the municipal wastewater infrastructure for the local community. The plant provides advanced treatment, which goes beyond secondary treatment to remove additional nutrients and contaminants. With a designed capacity of 499.67 million gallons and an annual discharge volume of 397.47 million gallons, the facility operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act framework, which requires NPDES permits for all point source discharges. Advanced treatment is typical for facilities discharging to sensitive water bodies or requiring high effluent quality. The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways within the Green River watershed, which ultimately drains to the Ohio River and then the Mississippi River. The plant's advanced treatment helps protect downstream aquatic ecosystems and supports water quality in the region.

The plant discharges into the Green River basin, a tributary of the Ohio River, which flows into the Mississippi River and eventually the Gulf of Mexico. The Green River supports diverse aquatic life, including several species of freshwater mussels and fish. Advanced treatment at this facility helps reduce nutrient loading, which is critical for preventing eutrophication in downstream waters.