Pocomoke City WWTP - Cassatt, Maryland Wastewater Treatment Plant

Pocomoke City WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Cassatt, Somerset County, Maryland, serving a population of approximately 4,600. The plant is situated in the coastal plain region of the Delmarva Peninsula, an area characterized by flat terrain and proximity to the Chesapeake Bay watershed. As a US facility, the plant operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Maryland Department of the Environment. For a plant serving a population of this size, secondary treatment is typically required, with additional nutrient removal standards in place for discharges into sensitive waters like the Chesapeake Bay. The plant's treated effluent ultimately drains into the Pocomoke River, a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States and supports diverse aquatic life, including blue crabs, oysters, and migratory fish. Nutrient pollution from wastewater is a key concern in this region, driving advanced treatment requirements.

The plant discharges into the Pocomoke River, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. The Chesapeake Bay watershed is ecologically sensitive, supporting critical habitats for fish, shellfish, and waterfowl. Nutrient loading from wastewater is a major environmental concern, leading to stringent state and federal regulations for nitrogen and phosphorus removal.