Overview
NANSEMOND W P C F serves approximately 119,865 people in Suffolk, Virginia. The plant is located within 50 km of the coast and discharges into the local watershed.
NANSEMOND W P C F is a municipal wastewater treatment facility serving Suffolk, Virginia, a city in the Hampton Roads region. With a population served of around 119,865, it is classified as a large agglomeration under U. S. regulatory frameworks. The plant operates under the U. S. Clean Water Act, which requires National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for all discharges. For facilities of this scale, secondary treatment is typically mandated, with additional nutrient removal requirements in sensitive watersheds like the Chesapeake Bay. The treated effluent from NANSEMOND W P C F ultimately drains into the Chesapeake Bay via the James River or its tributaries. The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States and supports diverse aquatic life, including blue crabs, oysters, and migratory fish. Nutrient pollution from wastewater is a key concern in this region.
Environmental context
The plant's discharge enters the Chesapeake Bay watershed, a vast estuary system that drains parts of six states. The bay is ecologically sensitive due to nutrient loading, which can cause algal blooms and hypoxic zones. Downstream, the waters flow into the Atlantic Ocean. The region supports important fisheries and migratory bird habitats.
Frequently asked questions
NANSEMOND W P C F is located in Suffolk, Virginia, United States, in the Hampton Roads region near the coast.
The plant serves approximately 119,865 people, classifying it as a large municipal wastewater treatment facility.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the Chesapeake Bay watershed, likely via the James River or a tributary, ultimately reaching the Atlantic Ocean.
As a U. S. facility, it operates under the Clean Water Act and must comply with an NPDES permit issued by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, which sets limits on pollutants like nutrients and pathogens.
Plants of this scale typically employ secondary treatment (biological processes) and often include advanced nutrient removal, especially in sensitive watersheds like the Chesapeake Bay, to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus loads.
Nearby plants