Overview
Gas House Pike WWTP serves Frederick, Maryland, treating wastewater for approximately 24,898 residents. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act's NPDES permit program.
Gas House Pike WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Frederick, Maryland, United States. It serves a population of approximately 24,898 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under US regulatory standards. The plant is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and its operations are governed by the Clean Water Act through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, administered by the Maryland Department of the Environment. As a facility serving a population between 10,000 and 100,000, Gas House Pike WWTP is expected to provide at least secondary treatment under federal regulations. Typical plants of this scale employ biological treatment methods such as activated sludge or trickling filters to meet effluent limits. The plant's design and operation must comply with technology-based and water quality-based effluent limitations set by its NPDES permit. The plant discharges treated wastewater into a local water body that ultimately drains into the Potomac River basin. The Potomac River flows into the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States, which supports diverse aquatic life and is a critical habitat for species such as the blue crab and striped bass. The plant's discharge contributes to the nutrient and pollutant load in the watershed, making its treatment performance important for the health of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem.
Environmental context
Gas House Pike WWTP discharges into a tributary of the Potomac River, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay is a vital estuary supporting diverse aquatic life, including oysters, crabs, and migratory fish. The plant's effluent must meet strict nutrient and sediment limits to protect the bay's water quality and ecosystem health.
Frequently asked questions
Gas House Pike WWTP is located in Frederick, Maryland, United States, at Treatment Plant Road in Frederick County.
The plant serves approximately 24,898 people, classifying it as a medium-sized municipal wastewater treatment facility.
The plant discharges treated effluent into a local water body that flows into the Potomac River, which ultimately reaches the Chesapeake Bay.
The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Maryland Department of the Environment.
Under the Clean Water Act, plants serving populations over 10,000 are generally required to provide at least secondary treatment, which typically involves biological processes like activated sludge to reduce organic matter and suspended solids.
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