Friendsville WWTP - Secondary Treatment Plant in Friendsville, Maryland

Friendsville WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Friendsville, Garrett County, Maryland. The plant serves a small population of 550 residents, reflecting the rural character of the area. It operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal discharges. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard level for small communities in the United States. Its designed capacity is 378.54 cubic meters per day, with an average discharge volume of 359.61 cubic meters per day, indicating near-capacity operation. As a small facility, it is subject to EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting, administered by the Maryland Department of the Environment. The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body that drains into the Youghiogheny River, a tributary of the Monongahela River, which flows into the Ohio River and ultimately the Mississippi River system. This downstream connection highlights the plant's role in protecting water quality across multiple states.

The plant discharges into a small stream that feeds the Youghiogheny River, which flows through the Appalachian region into Pennsylvania. The Youghiogheny River supports diverse aquatic life, including trout populations, and is a popular destination for recreation. The river eventually joins the Monongahela River, contributing to the Ohio River basin. Protecting this watershed is important for maintaining water quality in the broader Mississippi River system.