Overview
Quarryville Boro STP is an advanced wastewater treatment plant in Providence Township, Pennsylvania, serving 1,994 people. It discharges approximately 984.21 units of treated effluent and has a designed capacity of 1,514.16 units.
Quarryville Boro STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located on Archery Road in Providence Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The plant serves a population of 1,994 and operates with advanced treatment processes, reflecting a commitment to high effluent quality standards. As an advanced treatment plant, Quarryville Boro STP goes beyond secondary treatment to remove additional nutrients and contaminants. The plant has a designed capacity of 1,514.16 units and currently discharges approximately 984.21 units of treated wastewater. Under the U.S. Clean Water Act, such facilities must comply with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, which set strict limits on effluent quality to protect receiving waters. The treated effluent from Quarryville Boro STP ultimately drains into the Susquehanna River basin, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay is a large estuary of ecological significance, supporting diverse aquatic life and important fisheries. The plant's advanced treatment helps reduce nutrient loading, contributing to the bay's restoration efforts.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Susquehanna River watershed, which flows south through Pennsylvania and Maryland into the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States and an ecologically sensitive ecosystem that supports a wide variety of fish, shellfish, and migratory birds. Advanced treatment at this plant helps minimize nutrient and pollutant loads, protecting downstream water quality and aquatic habitats.
Frequently asked questions
Quarryville Boro STP is located on Archery Road in Providence Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States.
The plant serves a population of 1,994 people in the Providence Township area.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the Susquehanna River basin, which ultimately flows into the Chesapeake Bay.
As a U.S. facility, Quarryville Boro STP operates under the Clean Water Act and must comply with an NPDES permit issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality.
For small communities in Pennsylvania, advanced treatment is often required to meet nutrient reduction goals, especially in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. This goes beyond secondary treatment to remove nitrogen and phosphorus.
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