MSD HITE CREEK STP - Louisville, Kentucky Wastewater Treatment Plant

MSD HITE CREEK STP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Louisville, Kentucky, serving a population of about 25,000. The facility is part of the Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) infrastructure, which manages wastewater for the greater Louisville area. As a medium-sized agglomeration, the plant plays a key role in protecting public health and the environment in Jefferson County. Under the U.S. Clean Water Act, plants of this scale are typically required to meet secondary treatment standards through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting program. The treatment process likely includes biological treatment and disinfection to reduce pollutants before discharge. Regulatory compliance is enforced by the Kentucky Division of Water. The treated effluent from MSD HITE CREEK STP is discharged into Hite Creek, a tributary of the Ohio River. The Ohio River flows westward to join the Mississippi River, ultimately draining into the Gulf of Mexico. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and provides drinking water for millions of people downstream. The plant's operations help maintain water quality in this ecologically and economically significant river system.

MSD HITE CREEK STP discharges into Hite Creek, which flows into the Ohio River near Louisville. The Ohio River is a major tributary of the Mississippi River, draining into the Gulf of Mexico. This watershed supports diverse aquatic species and provides drinking water for downstream communities. The plant's effluent contributes to the nutrient load in the Ohio River, which can affect algal growth and oxygen levels in the Gulf of Mexico's hypoxic zone.