Overview
Middletown East WWTP is an advanced treatment facility serving approximately 1,200 residents in Middletown, Maryland. It discharges 666.23 thousand cubic meters of treated wastewater annually.
Middletown East WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Middletown, Frederick County, Maryland, United States. The facility serves a population of approximately 1,197 residents, reflecting a small community scale typical of rural towns in the region. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, exceeding the secondary treatment standard required by the U.S. Clean Water Act for most municipal facilities. Advanced treatment provides enhanced removal of nutrients and other pollutants, which is particularly important for protecting sensitive downstream water bodies. The plant has a designed capacity of 1,324.89 thousand cubic meters per year and currently discharges 666.23 thousand cubic meters annually. The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that ultimately drain into the Potomac River basin and the Chesapeake Bay. As part of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, the plant plays a role in regional nutrient reduction efforts aimed at restoring the bay's ecosystem. The advanced treatment level helps minimize the plant's environmental footprint.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into streams within the Potomac River watershed, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. The Chesapeake Bay is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse aquatic life and serving as a critical habitat for fish and migratory birds. Nutrient pollution from wastewater is a key concern in this watershed, making advanced treatment important for protecting water quality.
Frequently asked questions
Middletown East WWTP is located on Holter Road in Middletown, Frederick County, Maryland, United States.
The plant serves approximately 1,197 residents, making it a small-scale municipal facility.
The treated effluent is discharged into local streams that flow into the Potomac River and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay.
The plant provides advanced treatment, which goes beyond the secondary treatment standard required by the U.S. Clean Water Act.
As a U.S. facility, it operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Maryland Department of the Environment.
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