Northern Lanc Co Brecknock STP - East Cocalico Township, Pennsylvania Wastewater Treatment

Northern Lanc Co Brecknock STP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in East Cocalico Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. It serves a population of 2,795, classifying it as a small community facility within the Susquehanna River basin. As a US-based plant, it operates under the Clean Water Act, with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. For small agglomerations like this, secondary treatment is typically required to meet effluent limits for biochemical oxygen demand and total suspended solids. The plant discharges treated effluent into local waterways that drain into the Susquehanna River, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay. This watershed is ecologically significant, supporting diverse aquatic life and contributing to the health of the bay's estuary.

The plant's treated effluent enters small streams within the Susquehanna River basin, ultimately reaching the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay is a large estuary that supports critical habitats for fish, shellfish, and migratory birds. Nutrient loading from wastewater discharges is a key concern in this watershed, as excess nitrogen and phosphorus can contribute to algal blooms and hypoxia.