New Berlin MA STP - Secondary Wastewater Treatment Plant in New Berlin, Pennsylvania

New Berlin MA STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located at 842 Water Street in New Berlin, Union County, Pennsylvania. The plant serves a small population of 838 residents, reflecting the rural character of the community. It operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal discharges. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard biological process that removes organic matter and suspended solids. With a designed capacity of 567.81 cubic meters per day and a discharge volume matching that figure, the facility operates at full capacity. As a small plant in Pennsylvania, it is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The treated effluent is discharged into a local waterway, likely a tributary of the Susquehanna River basin, which ultimately drains into the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay is a large estuary of ecological significance, supporting diverse aquatic life and important fisheries. The plant's discharge contributes to the nutrient load in the watershed, making its treatment performance relevant to regional water quality goals.

The plant discharges into a small stream within the Susquehanna River basin, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States, supporting a complex ecosystem of fish, crabs, and migratory birds. Nutrient pollution from wastewater and agriculture has historically caused eutrophication and hypoxic zones in the bay, making effective secondary treatment at plants like New Berlin MA STP important for downstream water quality.