Possum Valley STP - Advanced Wastewater Treatment in Menallen Township, Pennsylvania

Possum Valley STP is a wastewater treatment facility located in Menallen Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania. The plant serves a small community of approximately 960 residents, providing advanced treatment to protect local water quality. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients and other pollutants. With a designed capacity of 454.25 units and a daily discharge volume of 416.40 units, the facility operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires NPDES permits for all discharges to surface waters. For small communities, advanced treatment ensures compliance with stringent water quality standards. The treated effluent from Possum Valley STP is discharged into a local water body that ultimately drains into the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The Chesapeake Bay is a vital estuary that supports diverse aquatic life and is subject to nutrient reduction goals under the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). The plant's advanced treatment helps reduce nutrient loads, contributing to the bay's restoration.

The plant discharges into a local stream that flows into the Susquehanna River basin, which drains into the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States, supporting critical habitats for fish, crabs, and migratory birds. Nutrient pollution from wastewater is a key concern, and advanced treatment helps minimize the plant's impact on downstream ecosystems.