Overview
Huntsville Western Area WWTP serves approximately 62,300 people in Huntsville, Alabama, as part of the city's municipal wastewater infrastructure. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act and EPA NPDES permitting.
Huntsville Western Area WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Huntsville, Madison County, Alabama, United States. The plant serves an estimated population of 62,300, placing it in the medium-agglomeration category for U.S. wastewater systems. As a U.S. facility, the plant operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM). For plants serving populations of this scale, secondary treatment is typically required, with additional nutrient removal standards applicable in sensitive watersheds. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that drain into the Tennessee River basin, ultimately reaching the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. The Tennessee River supports diverse aquatic life and provides drinking water for downstream communities, making proper treatment essential for regional water quality.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Tennessee River basin, which flows into the Ohio River and then the Mississippi River before reaching the Gulf of Mexico. This watershed supports a variety of fish species and is an important migratory corridor for birds. The Tennessee River is also a source of drinking water for multiple municipalities, so nutrient and pathogen removal are critical to prevent eutrophication and protect public health.
Frequently asked questions
Huntsville Western Area WWTP is located in Huntsville, Madison County, Alabama, United States.
The plant serves approximately 62,300 people, classifying it as a medium-sized municipal wastewater treatment facility.
The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that drain into the Tennessee River basin, which flows to the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico.
The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act and is regulated through an NPDES permit issued by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM).
Under the Clean Water Act, secondary treatment is standard for municipal plants of this scale. Additional nutrient removal may be required if the receiving water body is sensitive to eutrophication.
Nearby plants