Loudonville WWTP, Loudonville

Overview

Loudonville WWTP and Sewer System serves approximately 2,981 residents in Loudonville, Ohio. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act framework, ensuring treated wastewater meets environmental standards.

The Loudonville WWTP and Sewer System is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located on West Main Street in Loudonville, Ohio, within Ashland County. Serving a population of about 2,981, the plant is part of the region's essential water infrastructure, handling domestic wastewater from the community. As a U.S. facility, the plant operates under the Clean Water Act, which requires National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for all discharges. For small to medium-sized communities like Loudonville, secondary treatment is typically mandated to reduce organic pollutants and suspended solids before discharge. The treated effluent is released into a local waterway that ultimately drains into the Muskingum River watershed, which flows to the Ohio River and then the Mississippi River. This connection to a major river system underscores the plant's role in protecting downstream water quality and aquatic habitats.

Environmental context

The plant discharges into a tributary of the Muskingum River, which flows through eastern Ohio before joining the Ohio River. The Ohio River is a major tributary of the Mississippi River, supporting diverse aquatic life and providing drinking water for millions. The watershed is ecologically sensitive, with seasonal variations in flow and nutrient levels that require careful management of treated effluent to prevent eutrophication and protect fish habitats.

Frequently asked questions

The plant is located on West Main Street in Loudonville, Ohio, within Hanover Township, Ashland County.

The plant serves approximately 2,981 residents in the Loudonville area.

The treated effluent is discharged into a local tributary that flows into the Muskingum River watershed, eventually reaching the Ohio River and Mississippi River.

As a U.S. facility, the plant operates under the Clean Water Act, requiring an NPDES permit issued by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to regulate discharges.

For small communities in Ohio, secondary treatment is standard under the Clean Water Act, which removes at least 85% of organic matter and suspended solids.