Marshall Co SD Washington WWTP - Zitko Terrace, West Virginia Wastewater Treatment

Marshall Co SD Washington WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Zitko Terrace, Marshall County, West Virginia. The plant serves a small population of 386 residents, providing essential sanitation services for this rural community. As a secondary treatment plant, it meets the standard requirements for organic matter and suspended solids removal under the US Clean Water Act. The plant has a designed capacity of 189.27 thousand cubic meters per year and currently discharges approximately 143.85 thousand cubic meters annually. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes such as activated sludge or trickling filters. The facility operates under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality. The treated effluent is discharged into local streams that drain into the Ohio River watershed. The Ohio River is a major tributary of the Mississippi River, ultimately flowing into the Gulf of Mexico. The plant's location inland and away from coastal areas reduces direct marine impact, but its discharge contributes to the overall nutrient and pollutant load in the Ohio River basin, which supports diverse aquatic life and serves as a drinking water source for millions.

The plant discharges into small tributaries of the Ohio River, which flows westward to join the Mississippi River and empty into the Gulf of Mexico. The Ohio River basin supports diverse fish populations and is a critical migratory corridor for birds. The region's Appalachian terrain and seasonal rainfall influence runoff patterns, making consistent treatment important to prevent localized eutrophication and protect downstream aquatic habitats.