Fort Frederick State Park, Four Locks

Overview

Fort Frederick State Park wastewater treatment plant in Four Locks, Maryland serves approximately 100 people with secondary treatment. It discharges 37.85 m³/day into the local watershed.

Fort Frederick State Park wastewater treatment plant is located in Four Locks, Washington County, Maryland, along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Trail. The facility serves a small population of around 100 people, primarily supporting the state park's visitors and staff. As a secondary treatment plant, it provides biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires NPDES permits for all wastewater discharges. For small facilities like this, secondary treatment is the standard requirement to protect water quality. The plant has a designed capacity of 37.85 m³/day and currently discharges a similar volume, indicating it operates near its design capacity. The treated effluent is discharged into the Potomac River watershed, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States and is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse aquatic life including blue crabs, oysters, and migratory fish. Proper treatment at this plant helps reduce nutrient and pollutant loads to the bay.

Environmental context

The plant discharges into the Potomac River basin, which drains into the Chesapeake Bay, a major estuary on the Atlantic coast. The Chesapeake Bay watershed is ecologically significant, supporting diverse aquatic habitats and serving as a critical migratory corridor for fish and birds. Nutrient pollution from wastewater is a key concern in this region, making secondary treatment important for protecting downstream water quality.

Frequently asked questions

The plant is located in Four Locks, Washington County, Maryland, along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Trail, within Fort Frederick State Park.

The plant serves approximately 100 people, primarily supporting the state park's facilities and visitors.

The treated effluent is discharged into the Potomac River watershed, which ultimately flows into the Chesapeake Bay.

The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard requirement under the U.S. Clean Water Act for small facilities to protect water quality.

The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, requiring an NPDES permit. For small facilities serving around 100 people, secondary treatment is typically mandated to reduce pollutants before discharge.