Overview
Key Colony Beach STP is an advanced wastewater treatment plant in Florida, serving 3,152 people. It discharges 757.08 million gallons per year and is located within 10 km of the coast.
Key Colony Beach STP is an advanced wastewater treatment facility located in Key Colony Beach, Monroe County, Florida. The plant serves a population of approximately 3,152 residents in this coastal community, treating wastewater to a high standard before discharge. The plant operates with a designed capacity of 1,287.04 million gallons per year and currently treats 757.08 million gallons annually. As an advanced treatment facility, it likely employs processes such as biological nutrient removal or tertiary filtration to meet stringent effluent quality standards. Under the US Clean Water Act, such plants must comply with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, which set limits on pollutants to protect water quality. The treated effluent from Key Colony Beach STP is discharged into the coastal waters of the Florida Keys, a sensitive marine ecosystem. The surrounding area includes coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove habitats that support diverse aquatic life. The plant's advanced treatment helps minimize nutrient loading and protect the fragile marine environment of the Florida Reef Tract.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the coastal waters of the Florida Keys, which are part of the larger Florida Reef Tract, the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States. This ecosystem supports diverse marine species including sea turtles, manatees, and numerous fish. The advanced treatment reduces nutrient pollution that could otherwise contribute to algal blooms and coral degradation in these sensitive waters.
Frequently asked questions
Key Colony Beach STP is located at 675 8th Street, Key Colony Beach, Monroe County, Florida, United States. It serves the coastal community of Key Colony Beach in the Florida Keys.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the coastal waters of the Florida Keys. As an advanced treatment facility, it likely uses tertiary filtration or nutrient removal to ensure high-quality discharge that protects the sensitive marine ecosystem.
The plant protects the coastal waters of the Florida Keys, which are part of the Florida Reef Tract. While there are no major rivers in the immediate area, the plant's advanced treatment helps safeguard the marine environment from nutrient pollution.
Under the Clean Water Act, the plant operates under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. This permit sets limits on pollutants to ensure the treated wastewater meets water quality standards for the protection of aquatic life and human health.
For small communities of around 3,000 people, typical treatment includes secondary treatment (biological processes) and often advanced treatment if discharging to sensitive waters. In coastal areas like the Florida Keys, advanced treatment with nutrient removal is common to protect coral reefs and seagrass beds.
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