Parkersburg WWTP - Wastewater Treatment in Parkersburg, West Virginia

Parkersburg WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Parkersburg, West Virginia, serving a population of about 49,500. Situated along the Ohio River, the plant plays a key role in managing wastewater for this industrial and residential community in the Mid-Ohio Valley region. As a U.S. facility, the plant operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. For a population of this size, secondary treatment is typically required, with possible additional nutrient controls depending on the receiving water body's sensitivity. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the Ohio River, which flows southwest to join the Mississippi River and eventually the Gulf of Mexico. The Ohio River supports diverse aquatic life and serves as a drinking water source for millions downstream. The plant's operations are critical to maintaining water quality in this major river system.

The plant discharges into the Ohio River, a major tributary of the Mississippi River system that drains into the Gulf of Mexico. The Ohio River basin supports diverse aquatic ecosystems, including fish species such as bass and catfish, and provides habitat for migratory birds. Nutrient loading from wastewater can contribute to algal blooms and hypoxia in the Gulf, making effective treatment important for downstream water quality.