Overview
OCALA WRF 1 is a municipal wastewater treatment plant serving approximately 17,750 people in Ocala, Florida, United States. It operates under the US Clean Water Act and EPA NPDES permitting framework.
OCALA WRF 1 is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located at 1101 Northwest 4th Avenue in Ocala, Marion County, Florida. The plant serves a population of about 17,750 residents, placing it in the small-to-medium agglomeration category for US wastewater infrastructure. As a US facility, the plant operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. For plants of this scale, secondary treatment is typically required, with additional nutrient removal standards applicable in Florida's sensitive watersheds. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that ultimately drain into the Atlantic Ocean via the St. Johns River basin or the Gulf of Mexico via the Withlacoochee River basin. The surrounding region includes karst topography and springs, making groundwater protection a key environmental consideration.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Ocala area's surface waters, which are part of the broader St. Johns River or Withlacoochee River watersheds, both draining to the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico respectively. The region's karst geology and numerous springs make nutrient management critical to prevent algal blooms and protect downstream aquatic ecosystems, including the Ocala National Forest and Silver Springs.
Frequently asked questions
OCALA WRF 1 is located at 1101 Northwest 4th Avenue in Ocala, Marion County, Florida, United States.
The plant serves approximately 17,750 people, classifying it as a small-to-medium sized municipal wastewater treatment facility.
The treated effluent is discharged into local surface waters that drain into either the St. Johns River basin or the Withlacoochee River basin, ultimately reaching the Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico.
As a US facility, OCALA WRF 1 operates under the Clean Water Act and is regulated through an NPDES permit issued by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, which sets limits on pollutants and requires monitoring.
Plants of this scale in Florida typically employ secondary treatment (biological processes) and often include advanced nutrient removal to meet state water quality standards, especially in sensitive watersheds with springs and karst geology.
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