Henderson STP 1 North Wastewater Treatment Plant, Henderson, Kentucky

Henderson STP 1 North is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Henderson, Kentucky, serving a population of around 30,515. The facility is situated in the Ohio River watershed, which ultimately drains to the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. As a medium-sized agglomeration, the plant plays a key role in protecting local water quality in the region. Under the US Clean Water Act, plants of this scale are typically required to meet secondary treatment standards through National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Kentucky Division of Water. These permits set effluent limits for biochemical oxygen demand, total suspended solids, and other parameters to ensure compliance with water quality standards. The plant's treatment process and capacity are designed to handle the organic load from the community. The treated effluent from Henderson STP 1 North is discharged into the Ohio River, a major tributary of the Mississippi River system. The Ohio River supports diverse aquatic life and serves as a drinking water source for millions downstream. Proper treatment at this facility helps reduce nutrient and pollutant loads, contributing to the ecological health of the river and the Gulf of Mexico.

The plant discharges to the Ohio River, which flows into the Mississippi River and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico. The Ohio River basin supports a variety of fish species and is an important migratory corridor for birds. Effective wastewater treatment here helps mitigate nutrient pollution that can contribute to hypoxic zones in the Gulf.