Lyons WPCP 1 East - Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant in Lyons, Georgia

Lyons WPCP 1 East is an advanced wastewater treatment facility located on East Thompson Avenue in Lyons, Georgia, within Toombs County. The plant serves a population of approximately 2,087 residents, providing essential wastewater treatment for this small community in the southeastern United States. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond secondary treatment to remove additional nutrients and contaminants. With a designed capacity of 2,119.82 thousand gallons per day and an average discharge volume of 946.35 thousand gallons per day, the facility operates well within its capacity. As a US plant, it operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, ensuring compliance with federal water quality standards. The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body that ultimately drains into the Altamaha River basin, one of the largest river systems on the East Coast. The Altamaha River flows into the Atlantic Ocean, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems including important fisheries and migratory bird habitats. The plant's advanced treatment helps protect downstream water quality in this ecologically significant watershed.

The plant discharges into a tributary of the Altamaha River, which flows approximately 137 miles to the Atlantic Ocean near Darien, Georgia. The Altamaha River basin is one of the most biodiverse in North America, supporting over 120 species of rare or endangered plants and animals. The river's estuary provides critical nursery habitat for shrimp, crabs, and finfish, making advanced treatment at this plant important for maintaining downstream ecological health.