New Castle STP - Secondary Wastewater Treatment in Craig County, Virginia

New Castle STP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Craig County, Virginia, serving a small population of 248 residents. The facility is situated in the rural Appalachian region of western Virginia, where it manages local wastewater from the community of New Castle. As a secondary treatment plant, New Castle STP meets the standard requirements under the U.S. Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater treatment. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids. The plant has a designed capacity of 113.56 million gallons per year, which aligns with the small population served. The plant discharges treated effluent into local streams that are part of the James River watershed, which ultimately drains into the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay is a large estuary of ecological significance, supporting diverse aquatic life and serving as a critical habitat for migratory birds and fish species.

New Castle STP discharges into tributaries of the James River, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States, supporting a rich ecosystem of fish, crabs, and waterfowl. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient loads that could contribute to eutrophication in the bay.