MTN WD Lower Shelby Valley Wastewater Treatment Plant, Douglas, Kentucky

MTN WD Lower Shelby Valley is an advanced wastewater treatment plant located in Douglas, Pike County, Kentucky, United States. The facility serves a population of 1,742 and operates as part of the region's municipal wastewater infrastructure. The plant provides advanced treatment, which goes beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients and other pollutants. With a designed capacity of 1,892.70 megaliters and an annual discharge volume of 227.13 megaliters, the plant operates well below its capacity. Under the U.S. Clean Water Act, such facilities are regulated through National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet. The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body within the Big Sandy River basin, which flows into the Ohio River and ultimately the Mississippi River. The plant's advanced treatment helps protect downstream aquatic ecosystems and supports water quality in the region.

The plant discharges into a tributary of the Big Sandy River, which flows through eastern Kentucky before joining the Ohio River. The Ohio River then drains into the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. The surrounding Appalachian region features steep terrain and coal mining history, making water quality protection critical for aquatic life and downstream communities.