LRBSA Archbald STP, Archbald

Overview

LRBSA Archbald STP serves approximately 29,437 people in Archbald, Pennsylvania. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act, discharging treated wastewater into the Lackawanna River watershed.

LRBSA Archbald STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Archbald, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, along the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail. The plant serves a population of about 29,437, placing it in the medium-sized agglomeration category for US facilities. As a US plant of this scale, it operates under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, which is part of the Clean Water Act. NPDES permits set effluent limits and monitoring requirements to protect water quality. Plants serving this population typically employ secondary treatment as a minimum standard. The plant discharges into the Lackawanna River, a tributary of the Susquehanna River, which ultimately flows into the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay watershed is ecologically significant, supporting diverse aquatic life and important migratory fish species. The plant's operations contribute to maintaining water quality in this sensitive downstream ecosystem.

Environmental context

The plant discharges into the Lackawanna River, which flows into the Susquehanna River and then into the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. The Chesapeake Bay watershed is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse aquatic life, including blue crabs, oysters, and migratory fish such as striped bass. Nutrient and pollutant loads from upstream sources can impact the bay's health, making effective wastewater treatment critical for downstream water quality.

Frequently asked questions

LRBSA Archbald STP is located in Archbald, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, United States, along the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail.

The plant serves approximately 29,437 people, classifying it as a medium-sized municipal wastewater treatment facility.

The plant discharges treated wastewater into the Lackawanna River, which flows into the Susquehanna River and ultimately reaches the Chesapeake Bay.

As a US facility, it operates under the Clean Water Act and is regulated via an NPDES permit issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection or the EPA.

Plants of this scale typically employ secondary treatment, which includes biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids, meeting EPA effluent guidelines.