Harpeth Valley UD STP, Nashville

Overview

Harpeth Valley UD STP serves approximately 29,400 people in Nashville, Tennessee, discharging treated wastewater into the Cumberland River basin. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act framework.

Harpeth Valley UD STP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee. Serving a population of about 29,400, the facility is part of the region's infrastructure managed by a utility district. The plant is situated near the Cumberland River, which flows through the city and ultimately drains to the Ohio River and Mississippi River system. As a U.S. facility, the plant operates under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, administered by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. For a plant serving a population of this size, secondary treatment is typically required under the Clean Water Act, with additional nutrient controls possible in sensitive watersheds. The plant's design and operational details are managed to meet state and federal effluent limits. The treated effluent from Harp Valley UD STP is discharged to the Cumberland River, a major tributary of the Ohio River. The Cumberland River supports diverse aquatic life and is used for recreation and water supply downstream. The plant's operations help protect water quality in the river and the larger Mississippi River basin, contributing to the ecological health of the region.

Environmental context

The plant discharges into the Cumberland River, which flows through Nashville and joins the Ohio River at Smithland, Kentucky, eventually reaching the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. The Cumberland River supports a variety of fish species and is an important migratory corridor for birds. The watershed includes urban, agricultural, and forested areas, and the plant's nutrient removal helps prevent eutrophication downstream.

Frequently asked questions

Harpeth Valley UD STP is located at 4048 Old Hickory Boulevard in Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, United States.

The plant serves approximately 29,400 people in the Nashville area.

The plant discharges treated wastewater into the Cumberland River, which flows through Nashville and eventually reaches the Gulf of Mexico via the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers.

The plant operates under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality. For a plant of this size, secondary treatment is typically required.

Plants of this scale in Tennessee generally use secondary treatment processes such as activated sludge or trickling filters, with disinfection. Additional nutrient removal may be required to protect the Cumberland River and downstream waters.