Georgetown Area STP - Advanced Wastewater Treatment in Bart Township, Pennsylvania

Georgetown Area STP is a wastewater treatment facility located in Bart Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The plant serves a small population of 300 residents in the rural community of Georgetown. It operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for all discharges. The plant provides advanced treatment, which goes beyond secondary treatment to remove additional pollutants such as nutrients. Its designed capacity is 302.83 volume units, and the current discharge volume is 113.56 volume units, indicating operational capacity well below design. The facility is situated inland, more than 10 km from the coast. The treated effluent from the plant likely discharges into a local stream or river within the Susquehanna River basin, which ultimately flows into the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay is a large estuary that supports diverse aquatic life and is subject to nutrient pollution reduction efforts under the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL).

The plant's discharge enters a tributary of the Susquehanna River, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay is a major estuary that supports a rich ecosystem, including blue crabs, oysters, and migratory fish. Nutrient loading from wastewater treatment plants is a key concern, and advanced treatment helps reduce nitrogen and phosphorus inputs to the bay.