Overview
Martingham Wastewater Treatment System serves 719 people in Saint Michaels, Maryland, discharging secondary-treated wastewater near the Chesapeake Bay.
Martingham Wastewater Treatment System is a municipal facility located at 9299 Deep Water Point Road in Saint Michaels, Talbot County, Maryland. It serves a population of approximately 719 residents, operating as a secondary treatment plant under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Clean Water Act. The plant has a designed capacity of 283.91 units and discharges an average volume of 257.41 units of treated wastewater. As a secondary treatment facility, it meets the standard requirements for biological treatment of organic matter and suspended solids, consistent with EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit conditions typical for plants of this scale in Maryland. The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that drain into the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. The Chesapeake Bay watershed supports diverse aquatic life, including blue crabs, oysters, and striped bass, and is ecologically sensitive to nutrient loading. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce pollutant loads to this important coastal ecosystem.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay, a major estuary on the U.S. East Coast. The bay's watershed spans six states and supports critical habitats for fish, shellfish, and migratory birds. Nutrient pollution from wastewater can contribute to algal blooms and hypoxic zones, making effective treatment essential for maintaining water quality in this ecologically sensitive region.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located at 9299 Deep Water Point Road in Saint Michaels, Talbot County, Maryland, United States.
The plant serves approximately 719 residents in the Saint Michaels area.
The plant discharges secondary-treated effluent into local waterways that flow into the Chesapeake Bay, a major estuary on the Atlantic coast.
As a U.S. facility, it operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements, which set limits on pollutant discharges to protect water quality.
For small communities in Maryland, secondary treatment is standard, meeting EPA requirements for biological oxygen demand and total suspended solids removal. Some plants may also incorporate nutrient removal to address Chesapeake Bay nutrient reduction goals.
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