INDIANA CO MSA MARION CENTER Wastewater Treatment Plant, East Mahoning Township, Pennsylvania

INDIANA CO MSA MARION CENTER is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in East Mahoning Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania. Serving a small population of 582 residents, the plant plays a key role in managing local wastewater for this rural community in the Appalachian region. The plant provides advanced treatment, exceeding the secondary treatment standard required by the US Clean Water Act for municipal facilities. With a designed capacity of 340.69 volume units and a current discharge volume of 227.13, it operates under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, which regulates discharges to surface waters. The treated effluent flows into nearby streams that are part of the Susquehanna River basin, ultimately draining into the Chesapeake Bay. This connection makes the plant's advanced treatment important for reducing nutrient loads and protecting downstream aquatic ecosystems in the bay.

The plant discharges into local tributaries of the Susquehanna River, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. The Chesapeake Bay watershed supports diverse aquatic life, including fish, crabs, and migratory birds. Advanced treatment at this plant helps reduce nutrient pollution, contributing to the bay's restoration efforts.