Plains Marshall STP, Marshall

Overview

Plains Marshall STP serves the town of Marshall, Virginia, treating wastewater for approximately 5,325 residents. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act framework, with oversight from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.

Plains Marshall STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Marshall, Fauquier County, Virginia. Serving a population of around 5,325, the plant is part of the region's infrastructure for managing domestic wastewater in a rural setting within the Piedmont region. As a small-to-medium agglomeration in the United States, the plant is subject to the Clean Water Act and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting. The regulatory framework ensures that discharge meets water quality standards for the receiving environment. The plant discharges into local waterways that ultimately drain into the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The Chesapeake Bay is a large estuary of ecological significance, supporting diverse aquatic life and serving as a critical habitat for migratory birds and fish. The plant's operations contribute to protecting downstream water quality in this sensitive ecosystem.

Environmental context

The plant's treated effluent flows into tributaries of the Rappahannock River, which is part of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States, supporting a complex ecosystem of fish, crabs, and waterfowl. Nutrient and sediment pollution from wastewater and other sources have historically impacted the bay's health, making effective treatment at plants like Plains Marshall STP important for regional water quality.

Frequently asked questions

Plains Marshall STP is located on Free State Road in Marshall, Fauquier County, Virginia, United States.

The plant serves approximately 5,325 residents in the Marshall area.

The plant discharges treated effluent into local streams that flow into the Rappahannock River, part of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

As a U.S. facility, it operates under the Clean Water Act and is regulated via an NPDES permit issued by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.

Plants of this scale in Virginia typically employ secondary treatment, including biological processes like activated sludge or trickling filters, to meet state and federal effluent limits.