Overview
Onancock STP serves 1,944 residents in Onancock, Virginia, USA. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the Chesapeake Bay watershed, supporting local water quality and aquatic ecosystems.
Onancock STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Onancock, Virginia, within Accomack County on the Eastern Shore. The plant serves a population of approximately 1,944 people, providing essential sanitation services to this coastal community. As a small-scale facility, it plays a key role in managing local wastewater and protecting the surrounding environment. The plant has a designed capacity of 1.00 million gallons per day. Under the U.S. Clean Water Act, facilities of this size are typically required to meet secondary treatment standards through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting program. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality oversees compliance and issues permits to ensure discharges meet water quality criteria. Treated effluent from Onancock STP ultimately reaches the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. The bay supports diverse aquatic life, including blue crabs, oysters, and striped bass, and is an important ecological and economic resource. The plant's operations contribute to reducing nutrient and pollutant loads in this sensitive watershed.
Environmental context
Onancock STP discharges into local waterways that drain to the Chesapeake Bay, a major estuary on the Atlantic coast. The bay supports a rich ecosystem of fish, shellfish, and migratory birds. Nutrient pollution from wastewater can contribute to algal blooms and hypoxia, making effective treatment critical for maintaining water quality and aquatic health in this ecologically sensitive region.
Frequently asked questions
Onancock STP is located at 23699 North Street, Onancock, Accomack County, Virginia, 23417, United States.
Onancock STP serves approximately 1,944 residents in the Onancock area.
Onancock STP discharges treated effluent into local waterways that flow into the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States.
Onancock STP operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, with NPDES permits issued by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality to ensure discharges meet water quality standards.
For small communities in the U.S., secondary treatment is typically required under the Clean Water Act. Many plants use activated sludge or lagoon systems to meet effluent limits.
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