Mason Farm WWTP - Carrboro, North Carolina Wastewater Treatment

Mason Farm WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Carrboro, North Carolina, serving a population of about 53,587. The plant is situated in Orange County and plays a key role in managing wastewater for this growing community in the Piedmont region. As a medium-sized agglomeration, the plant is expected to meet secondary treatment standards under the U.S. Clean Water Act. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, issued by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, govern its discharge limits and monitoring requirements. The facility's treatment process likely includes biological treatment to reduce organic matter and nutrients before discharge. The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that ultimately drain into the Cape Fear River basin. This river system flows southeast through North Carolina and empties into the Atlantic Ocean near Cape Fear. The plant's operations are critical for protecting water quality in the Cape Fear River and its tributaries, which support diverse aquatic life and provide drinking water for downstream communities.

The plant discharges into the Cape Fear River basin, a major watershed that drains much of central and eastern North Carolina. The Cape Fear River flows approximately 200 miles to the Atlantic Ocean, supporting diverse fish populations, including striped bass and American shad, as well as migratory birds. The river's estuary is ecologically sensitive, providing nursery habitat for marine species. Protecting water quality in this basin is essential for maintaining the health of the downstream coastal ecosystem.