PENN S CREEK STP - Secondary Wastewater Treatment in Center Township, Pennsylvania

PENN S CREEK STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Center Township, Snyder County, Pennsylvania. The plant serves a small population of 599 residents and operates as part of the local wastewater infrastructure in the Susquehanna River basin. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required under the U.S. Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater. It has a designed capacity of 264.98 megaliters per year and discharges an average of 227.13 megaliters annually, indicating a utilization rate of approximately 86%. The plant is regulated under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The treated effluent from PENN S CREEK STP is discharged into local waterways that ultimately drain into the Susquehanna River and then to the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay is a large estuary of ecological significance, supporting diverse aquatic life and important fisheries. The plant's discharge contributes to the nutrient and pollutant load in the watershed, which is a key concern for bay health.

PENN S CREEK STP discharges into a tributary of the Susquehanna River, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States and supports a rich ecosystem including blue crabs, oysters, and migratory fish. Nutrient pollution from wastewater is a significant concern for the bay's health, and the plant's secondary treatment helps reduce but does not eliminate nutrient loads.