McEwen STP Wastewater Treatment Plant, McEwen, Tennessee

McEwen STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in McEwen, Tennessee, within Humphreys County. The plant serves a population of approximately 1,861 residents and has a designed capacity of 1.00 million gallons per day, reflecting its role in managing the community's wastewater needs. As a small-scale treatment plant in the United States, McEwen STP operates under the regulatory framework of the Clean Water Act, which requires National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for discharges. Plants of this size typically employ secondary treatment to meet effluent standards. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that ultimately drain into the Tennessee River system. This river basin supports diverse aquatic life and provides water resources for communities downstream. Proper treatment helps protect water quality in the region.

McEwen STP discharges into tributaries of the Tennessee River, which flows into the Ohio River and then the Mississippi River before reaching the Gulf of Mexico. The Tennessee River watershed supports a variety of fish and wildlife, including several species of freshwater mussels. Maintaining effective treatment is important to prevent nutrient pollution and protect downstream ecosystems.