Overview
MIDDLESBORO STP serves approximately 11,184 residents in Middlesboro, Kentucky, as part of the city's municipal wastewater infrastructure. The plant operates under U.S. EPA and Kentucky state regulations.
MIDDLESBORO STP is a wastewater treatment facility located in Middlesboro, Kentucky, serving a population of about 11,184. The plant is situated in Bell County, within the Appalachian region, and is part of the city's public sanitation system. As a U.S. facility, the plant is subject to the Clean Water Act and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting, administered by the Kentucky Division of Water. For a community of this size, secondary treatment is typically required, with possible nutrient removal depending on the receiving water body's sensitivity. The plant discharges into local waterways that ultimately drain into the Cumberland River basin, which flows into the Ohio River and then the Mississippi River. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and provides water resources for communities downstream.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into tributaries of the Cumberland River, which flows through Kentucky and Tennessee before joining the Ohio River. The Cumberland River basin supports a variety of fish species and is an important ecological corridor in the Appalachian region. Downstream waters are used for recreation and drinking water supply, making proper treatment essential for protecting water quality and aquatic habitats.
Frequently asked questions
MIDDLESBORO STP is located in Middlesboro, Kentucky, in Bell County, near the Cumberland Gap region of the Appalachian Mountains.
The plant serves approximately 11,184 residents of Middlesboro and the surrounding area.
The plant discharges treated effluent into local streams that are part of the Cumberland River watershed, which flows into the Ohio River and ultimately the Mississippi River.
As a U.S. facility, it operates under the Clean Water Act and is regulated by the Kentucky Division of Water through an NPDES permit, which sets limits on pollutants to protect water quality.
For a community of this size, secondary treatment is standard, often including biological processes and disinfection. Depending on the receiving water body, additional nutrient removal may be required.
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