Overview
Gainesville Kanapaha 5 serves approximately 78,355 people in Alachua County, Florida. The plant operates under the U. S. Clean Water Act, which mandates secondary treatment for municipal wastewater facilities.
Gainesville Kanapaha 5 is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Alachua County, Florida, serving a population of approximately 78,355. The plant is situated in the southeastern United States, a region characterized by a humid subtropical climate and extensive surface water networks. As a facility serving a medium-sized agglomeration, the plant is subject to the U. S. Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal wastewater. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, administered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, governs discharge limits and monitoring requirements to protect water quality. The plant's treated effluent likely discharges into local waterways that drain into the Santa Fe River or the Suwannee River basin, eventually reaching the Gulf of Mexico. These waters support diverse aquatic ecosystems, including freshwater springs and wetlands that are ecologically sensitive to nutrient loading.
Environmental context
The plant's discharge likely enters tributaries of the Santa Fe River, which flows into the Suwannee River and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico. The Suwannee River basin is known for its spring-fed rivers and diverse aquatic habitats, including important fisheries and migratory bird corridors. Nutrient pollution from wastewater can impact these sensitive ecosystems, making effective treatment critical.
Frequently asked questions
Gainesville Kanapaha 5 is located at Southwest 63rd Boulevard in Alachua County, Florida, United States, near the city of Gainesville.
The plant serves approximately 78,355 people, classifying it as a medium-sized municipal wastewater treatment facility.
The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that are part of the Santa Fe River or Suwannee River basin, which ultimately drain into the Gulf of Mexico.
The plant operates under the U. S. Clean Water Act and is regulated by the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, administered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Under the Clean Water Act, municipal plants of this scale are required to provide secondary treatment, which typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids.
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