MSD Little Miami Drainage Basin Wastewater Treatment Plant, Cincinnati, Ohio

MSD Little Miami Drainage Basin is a wastewater treatment facility serving the Cincinnati area in Hamilton County, Ohio. It is part of the Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati's infrastructure, handling a population equivalent of about 132,088 residents. The plant is located in the Linwood neighborhood, near the Ohio River. As a major facility in the United States, the plant is regulated under the Clean Water Act and operates under an NPDES permit issued by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. For a plant serving over 100,000 people, secondary treatment is the minimum standard, with additional nutrient removal often required to protect downstream water quality. The plant's treatment process and capacity are designed to meet these federal and state requirements. The plant discharges into the Little Miami River, a tributary of the Ohio River, which flows into the Mississippi River and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico. The Little Miami River is a designated State Scenic River, supporting diverse aquatic life and recreational activities. The plant's operations are critical to maintaining water quality in this ecologically sensitive watershed.

The plant discharges into the Little Miami River, which flows into the Ohio River, then the Mississippi River, and finally the Gulf of Mexico. The Little Miami River is a high-quality waterway that supports diverse fish and macroinvertebrate communities, and it is a popular destination for canoeing and fishing. Protecting this river from nutrient pollution and pathogens is essential for both ecological health and human recreation.