Overview
Mahaffey Boro STP is a secondary treatment plant serving approximately 400 residents in Mahaffey, Pennsylvania. It discharges treated wastewater into local waterways within the Susquehanna River basin.
Mahaffey Boro STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Mahaffey, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania. The plant serves a small population of around 402 residents, reflecting its role in a rural community. As a secondary treatment plant, it provides biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for all discharges. For small communities like Mahaffey, secondary treatment is the standard requirement, ensuring compliance with federal water quality standards. The plant's designed capacity is 302.83 cubic meters per day, with an average daily discharge of 189.27 cubic meters, indicating it operates below its capacity. The treated effluent is discharged into local streams that drain into the West Branch Susquehanna River, a major tributary of the Susquehanna River. The Susquehanna River ultimately flows into the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. The plant's discharge contributes to the overall nutrient load in the watershed, which is a key concern for Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into local waterways within the Susquehanna River basin, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay is a large estuary that supports diverse aquatic life, including blue crabs, oysters, and migratory fish. Nutrient pollution from wastewater treatment plants is a significant concern for the bay's health, as excess nitrogen and phosphorus can cause algal blooms and hypoxia.
Frequently asked questions
Mahaffey Boro STP is located in Mahaffey, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, United States.
The plant serves approximately 402 residents, reflecting its role in a small rural community.
The plant discharges treated effluent into local streams that drain into the West Branch Susquehanna River, part of the Susquehanna River basin flowing to the Chesapeake Bay.
The plant provides secondary treatment, which includes biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids, meeting standard requirements under the U.S. Clean Water Act.
The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, requiring an NPDES permit that sets limits on pollutants. For small plants like this, secondary treatment is the baseline, with additional nutrient controls possible in sensitive watersheds like the Chesapeake Bay.
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