Mount Jackson STP - Advanced Wastewater Treatment in Mount Jackson, Virginia

Mount Jackson STP is an advanced wastewater treatment facility located on Red Banks Road in Mount Jackson, Shenandoah County, Virginia. The plant serves a population of 1,211 and is part of the municipal infrastructure for this small community in the Shenandoah Valley. The plant provides advanced treatment, which goes beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients and other pollutants. With a designed capacity of 1,514.16 million gallons per year and an actual discharge volume of 302.83 million gallons per year, the plant operates well below its capacity. As a US facility, it operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. The treated effluent is discharged into a tributary of the Shenandoah River, which flows into the Potomac River and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay watershed is ecologically significant, supporting diverse aquatic life and important fisheries. Advanced treatment helps reduce nutrient loading to the bay, contributing to regional restoration efforts.

The plant discharges into a local stream that drains into the Shenandoah River, a major tributary of the Potomac River. The Potomac flows into the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. The Chesapeake Bay watershed supports a rich ecosystem, including blue crabs, oysters, and migratory fish. Advanced treatment at this plant helps minimize nutrient pollution, which is critical for reducing algal blooms and maintaining water quality in the bay.