Overview
Mount Vernon WWTP and Sewer System serves approximately 17,800 residents in Mount Vernon, Ohio. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act's NPDES permit program for municipal wastewater treatment.
The Mount Vernon WWTP and Sewer System is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Mount Vernon, Ohio, serving a population of about 17,800. Situated in Knox County, the plant is part of the region's infrastructure for managing domestic wastewater from the community and nearby areas like Mount Vernon Nazarene University. As a US facility, the plant operates under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program established by the Clean Water Act. For a population of this scale, secondary treatment is typically required, with possible additional nutrient removal depending on the receiving water body's sensitivity. Regulatory standards ensure compliance with effluent limits. The plant discharges treated wastewater into a local waterway, likely a tributary of the Kokosing River, which flows into the Muskingum River and eventually the Ohio River. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and provides drinking water downstream, making proper treatment essential for protecting regional water quality and ecosystems.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into a tributary of the Kokosing River, part of the Muskingum River basin that drains into the Ohio River. This watershed supports diverse aquatic species and is used for recreation and drinking water. The region's agricultural and urban runoff also influence water quality, making effective wastewater treatment critical for maintaining ecological balance and preventing nutrient pollution.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, 800 Martinsburg Road, Mount Vernon, Ohio, in Knox County.
The plant serves approximately 17,798 residents in Mount Vernon and surrounding areas.
The plant discharges treated effluent into a local tributary of the Kokosing River, which flows into the Muskingum River and eventually the Ohio River.
The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act, requiring an NPDES permit issued by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, with effluent limits for secondary treatment and possibly nutrient removal.
For a population of this size, secondary treatment is standard, often including activated sludge or trickling filters, with disinfection. Additional nutrient removal may be required if discharging to sensitive waters.
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