Overview
Patuxent WWTP in Crofton, Maryland serves approximately 38,830 people. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act framework, discharging treated wastewater into the Patuxent River watershed.
Patuxent WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Crofton, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States. The plant serves an estimated population of 38,830, placing it in the medium-sized agglomeration category for U.S. wastewater infrastructure. As a facility operating under the U.S. Clean Water Act, Patuxent WWTP is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting, which sets effluent limits based on the receiving water body's water quality standards. The plant discharges into the Patuxent River watershed, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life, including striped bass, blue crabs, and oysters, and is ecologically sensitive to nutrient loading and sediment runoff.
Environmental context
Patuxent WWTP discharges into the Patuxent River, which flows southward into the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay is a major estuary that supports a complex ecosystem, including critical habitats for fish, shellfish, and migratory birds. Nutrient pollution from wastewater can contribute to algal blooms and hypoxic zones, making effective treatment essential for bay health.
Frequently asked questions
Patuxent WWTP is located in Crofton, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States.
Patuxent WWTP serves approximately 38,830 people.
Patuxent WWTP discharges into the Patuxent River, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay.
Patuxent WWTP operates under the Clean Water Act and is required to have an NPDES permit that sets effluent limits to protect water quality in the Patuxent River and Chesapeake Bay.
Plants of this size in the U.S. typically provide secondary treatment as a minimum, with many incorporating nutrient removal to meet Chesapeake Bay watershed requirements.
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