Overview
Leonardtown STP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant serving 2,300 people in Leonardtown, Maryland, USA. It operates under the US Clean Water Act with NPDES permitting.
Leonardtown STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Leonardtown, Saint Mary's County, Maryland. The plant serves a population of approximately 2,300 residents, making it a small-scale facility within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. As a US-based plant, Leonardtown STP operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Maryland Department of the Environment. For small agglomerations like this, secondary treatment is typically required to meet water quality standards. The plant's treated effluent discharges into local waterways that ultimately drain into the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. The Chesapeake Bay ecosystem supports diverse aquatic life, including blue crabs, oysters, and migratory fish, and is sensitive to nutrient pollution from wastewater discharges.
Environmental context
Leonardtown STP discharges into tributaries of the Potomac River, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay is a critical estuarine environment that supports a rich ecosystem of fish, shellfish, and waterfowl. Nutrient loading from wastewater treatment plants in the region has been a focus of restoration efforts under the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program.
Frequently asked questions
Leonardtown STP is located in Leonardtown, Saint Mary's County, Maryland, United States. The facility serves the local community with wastewater treatment.
Leonardtown STP serves approximately 2,300 people, classifying it as a small-scale municipal wastewater treatment plant.
The plant discharges treated effluent into local waterways that flow into the Potomac River and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay. The discharge is regulated under an NPDES permit to protect water quality.
Leonardtown STP operates under the US Clean Water Act, with NPDES permits issued by the Maryland Department of the Environment. These permits set limits on pollutants to protect the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
For small plants serving around 2,300 people, secondary treatment is typically required under the Clean Water Act. This involves biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge.
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