LYNCH Wastewater Treatment Plant, Lynch, Kentucky | Secondary Treatment Facility

LYNCH is a wastewater treatment plant located in Lynch, Kentucky, serving a population of approximately 841 residents. The facility is situated in the Appalachian region of eastern Kentucky, an area characterized by mountainous terrain and coal mining history. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment process required under the U.S. Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater. With a designed capacity of 757.08 cubic meters per day and an average discharge volume of 779.80 cubic meters per day, the plant operates near its capacity. As a small municipal facility, it falls under the regulatory oversight of the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, which administers the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. The treated effluent is discharged into local streams that drain into the Cumberland River basin, ultimately flowing to the Ohio River and then the Mississippi River. The plant plays a crucial role in protecting the water quality of these downstream water bodies, particularly in a region where aquatic ecosystems support diverse species and recreational activities.

The plant discharges into tributaries of the Cumberland River, which flows through the Appalachian region before joining the Ohio River. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life, including fish species such as smallmouth bass and various darters. The area's steep terrain and coal mining legacy make proper wastewater treatment essential to prevent sedimentation and contamination of these sensitive streams.