Gallitzin Boro STP - Secondary Wastewater Treatment in Gallitzin Township, Pennsylvania

Gallitzin Boro STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Gallitzin Township, Cambria County, Pennsylvania. The plant serves a population of 1,756 residents and operates under the regulatory framework of the United States Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal wastewater discharges. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard level that removes biodegradable organic matter and suspended solids. With a designed capacity of 1,514.16 thousand gallons per day and an actual discharge volume of 454.25 thousand gallons per day, the facility operates well below its capacity, indicating room for future growth or seasonal variations. The treated effluent is discharged into a local waterway within the Susquehanna River basin, which ultimately drains to the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay is a large estuary of ecological significance, supporting diverse aquatic life and important fisheries. The plant's discharge contributes to the overall nutrient and pollutant load in the watershed, making its treatment performance relevant to regional water quality goals.

The plant discharges into a tributary of the Susquehanna 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 discharges can contribute to algal blooms and hypoxia in the bay, making secondary treatment an important baseline for protecting downstream water quality.