Overview
PEN ARGYL STP serves the borough of Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania, treating wastewater for approximately 3,615 residents. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act's NPDES permitting program.
PEN ARGYL STP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located at 443 East Reservoir Avenue in Pen Argyl, Northampton County, Pennsylvania. It serves a population of about 3,615 people, classifying it as a small to medium-sized facility within the state's wastewater infrastructure. As a U.S. plant, it operates under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, established by the Clean Water Act. This regulatory framework requires permits for any discharge of pollutants into waters of the United States, with treatment standards typically including secondary treatment for municipal facilities of this scale. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into a local waterway that ultimately drains into the Delaware River Basin, a major watershed supporting diverse aquatic life and providing drinking water for millions. The plant plays a key role in protecting local water quality in the Lehigh Valley region.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into a tributary of the Delaware River, which flows into the Delaware Bay and then the Atlantic Ocean. The Delaware River Basin is ecologically significant, supporting migratory fish species such as American shad and providing critical habitat for freshwater mussels. The plant's operations help maintain water quality in this sensitive watershed.
Frequently asked questions
PEN ARGYL STP is located at 443 East Reservoir Avenue in Pen Argyl, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, United States.
The plant serves approximately 3,615 residents in the borough of Pen Argyl and surrounding areas.
The plant discharges treated effluent into a local waterway that is part of the Delaware River Basin, which ultimately flows to the Atlantic Ocean.
As a U.S. municipal wastewater plant, it operates under the Clean Water Act's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), which requires permits for discharges to surface waters.
For small to medium-sized plants in the U.S., secondary treatment is standard, which typically involves biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids.
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