OLDTOWN WWTP - Secondary Treatment Plant in Oldtown, Maryland

OLDTOWN WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Oldtown, Allegany County, Maryland. Serving a population of 430, it is classified as a small-scale plant under U.S. EPA regulations. The plant is situated in the Potomac River watershed, which ultimately drains into the Chesapeake Bay. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard requirement under the U.S. Clean Water Act for facilities of this size. Its designed capacity is 151.42 million gallons per year, with an actual discharge volume of 45.43 million gallons per year. The plant operates under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by the Maryland Department of the Environment, ensuring compliance with effluent limits. Treated effluent from OLDTOWN WWTP is discharged into a tributary of the Potomac River, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay is a vital estuary supporting diverse aquatic life, including blue crabs, oysters, and migratory fish. The plant's discharge contributes to the nutrient and sediment load in the watershed, making its treatment performance important for downstream water quality.

OLDTOWN WWTP discharges into a tributary of the Potomac River, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. The Chesapeake Bay watershed is ecologically sensitive, supporting a rich diversity of aquatic species and serving as a critical habitat for migratory birds. Nutrient pollution from wastewater can contribute to algal blooms and hypoxia in the bay, underscoring the importance of effective secondary treatment at this plant.