HARMAN WWTP - Secondary Treatment Plant in Harman, West Virginia

HARMAN WWTP serves the small community of Harman in Randolph County, West Virginia. The plant provides secondary treatment for a population of 190, discharging 151.42 megaliters of treated wastewater per year. Its designed capacity is 189.27 megaliters, indicating the facility operates below its full capacity. As a secondary treatment plant, HARMAN WWTP meets the minimum standard required under the US Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater treatment. The plant is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, which set effluent limits to protect water quality. The plant's treated effluent flows into local streams within the Potomac River basin, ultimately reaching the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay watershed is ecologically significant, supporting diverse aquatic life and serving as a critical habitat for migratory fish and birds. The plant's discharge contributes to the overall nutrient load in the basin, making its treatment level important for downstream water quality.

HARMAN WWTP discharges into tributaries of the Potomac River, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. The Chesapeake Bay supports a rich ecosystem including blue crabs, oysters, and striped bass, and is a vital migratory corridor for waterfowl. Nutrient pollution from wastewater is a key concern in this watershed, and secondary treatment helps reduce the plant's impact on downstream water quality.