I 79 South Roadside Rest STP - Plain Grove Township, Pennsylvania Wastewater Treatment

I 79 South Roadside Rest STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Plain Grove Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. It serves a small population of 80 people along the I-79 corridor, operating as a roadside rest area treatment plant. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level for small communities under the US Clean Water Act. The plant has a designed capacity of 37.85 m³/day and currently discharges 37.85 m³/day of treated effluent. As a small facility, it is subject to EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting, typically administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Secondary treatment ensures removal of organic matter and suspended solids before discharge. The treated effluent is discharged to a local waterway, likely a tributary of the Beaver River or Shenango River, which ultimately flows into the Ohio River and then the Mississippi River system. The plant's inland location and small scale minimize its environmental footprint, though proper nutrient management remains important for downstream water quality.

The plant discharges into a local stream within the Beaver River watershed, part of the Ohio River basin. This inland system supports diverse aquatic life and provides drinking water for downstream communities. The treated effluent contributes to base flow in small streams, requiring careful management to prevent nutrient enrichment and maintain ecological balance.