KNOXVILLE BORO TIOGA STP - Secondary Wastewater Treatment in Knoxville, Pennsylvania

KNOXVILLE BORO TIOGA STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Knoxville, Tioga County, Pennsylvania. The plant serves a small population of 617 residents and operates under the regulatory framework of the United States Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal discharges. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard level that removes biodegradable organic matter and suspended solids. It has a designed capacity of 264.98 million gallons per year and currently discharges 227.13 million gallons per year, indicating it operates below its capacity. As a US facility, it is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body that ultimately drains into the Susquehanna River basin, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay is a large estuary of ecological significance, supporting diverse aquatic life and important fisheries. The plant's discharge contributes to the overall nutrient and pollutant load in the watershed, making its treatment performance important for downstream water quality.

The plant discharges into a tributary of the Tioga River, which flows into the Susquehanna River and eventually reaches the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States and supports a complex ecosystem including blue crabs, oysters, and migratory fish. Nutrient pollution from wastewater treatment plants is a key concern for the bay's health, as excess nitrogen and phosphorus can cause algal blooms and hypoxia.