GHCPSD West Milford WWTP - Harrison County, West Virginia Wastewater Treatment

GHCPSD West Milford WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Harrison County, West Virginia, serving a population of approximately 4,862 residents. The plant is situated in the Appalachian region, an area characterized by rolling hills and a temperate climate with distinct seasonal variations. As a US facility of this scale, the plant operates under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, established by the Clean Water Act. This regulatory framework requires treatment plants to meet specific effluent limits designed to protect water quality. For small to medium agglomerations like this, secondary treatment is typically the minimum standard, though specific treatment processes and capacity details are managed by the operator in compliance with state and federal permits. The plant's treated effluent discharges into local waterways that ultimately drain into the Ohio River basin, a major tributary of the Mississippi River system. The receiving waters support diverse aquatic life and are part of a larger watershed that provides drinking water, recreation, and habitat for numerous species. Proper treatment at this facility helps maintain the ecological health of these downstream environments.

The plant discharges into streams within the Ohio River watershed, which flows into the Mississippi River and eventually the Gulf of Mexico. This region supports diverse aquatic ecosystems, including fish, macroinvertebrates, and riparian vegetation. The Appalachian terrain influences local hydrology, with steep slopes and forested headwaters that are sensitive to nutrient loading and sedimentation.