Gary WWTP - Wastewater Treatment Plant in Gary, West Virginia

Gary WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Gary, McDowell County, West Virginia. The plant serves a small community of about 2,000 people, situated along Riverside Drive near the Tug Fork River. As a small-scale facility, it plays a vital role in managing local wastewater and protecting downstream water quality. Under the US Clean Water Act, wastewater treatment plants of this size are typically required to meet secondary treatment standards through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. The plant's discharge is regulated by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, ensuring compliance with federal and state water quality standards. The facility is expected to provide adequate treatment for its population served. The plant's treated effluent ultimately drains into the Tug Fork River, a tributary of the Big Sandy River, which flows into the Ohio River and then the Mississippi River. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and provides drinking water for downstream communities. The plant's operation helps maintain the ecological health of this important river system.

The plant discharges into the Tug Fork River, part of the Big Sandy River watershed, which flows into the Ohio River and eventually the Mississippi River. This river system supports diverse aquatic species and provides habitat for fish and other wildlife. The region's mountainous terrain and coal mining history make water quality protection particularly important for maintaining ecological balance and recreational uses.