Paducah McCracken Co JSA Woodlawn Wastewater Treatment Plant, McCracken County, Kentucky

Paducah McCracken Co JSA Woodlawn is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in McCracken County, Kentucky, United States. The plant serves a population of approximately 4,718 residents and operates as part of the region's wastewater infrastructure. It is situated inland, more than 10 kilometers from the coast, and discharges into the Ohio River watershed. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by the U.S. Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. The facility has a designed capacity of 4,921.02 million gallons per day and currently treats an average daily flow of 651.09 million gallons, indicating ample capacity for its service area. The treated effluent from the plant ultimately reaches the Ohio River, a major tributary of the Mississippi River. This river system supports diverse aquatic life and provides drinking water for millions downstream. The plant's operations are regulated under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, ensuring compliance with water quality standards to protect the receiving waters.

The plant discharges into the Ohio River basin, which flows into the Mississippi River and eventually the Gulf of Mexico. This watershed supports a variety of fish and wildlife, including several species of freshwater mussels and migratory birds. The Ohio River is a critical water resource for drinking, recreation, and industry, making effective wastewater treatment essential for maintaining water quality and ecosystem health.