Overview
Richlands WWTP and Collection System serves approximately 6,000 residents in Richlands, Virginia. The plant discharges treated wastewater into local waterways within the Clinch River watershed.
Richlands WWTP and Collection System is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Richlands, Tazewell County, Virginia. Serving a population of about 5,972, the plant is part of the region's infrastructure for managing domestic wastewater from the community. As a US-based facility, the plant operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting. The plant's treated effluent discharges into the Clinch River watershed, which flows through southwestern Virginia and into Tennessee. The Clinch River is known for its high aquatic biodiversity, including numerous freshwater mussel species, and ultimately drains into the Tennessee River system.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Clinch River watershed, part of the Tennessee River basin that flows into the Ohio River and eventually the Mississippi River. The Clinch River supports diverse aquatic life, including several species of freshwater mussels and fish, making it an ecologically sensitive waterway. Downstream, the Tennessee River system provides habitat for numerous species and serves as a major water resource for the region.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Richlands, Tazewell County, Virginia, United States.
The plant serves approximately 5,972 residents in the Richlands area.
The plant discharges into the Clinch River watershed, which flows into the Tennessee River system.
As a US facility, it operates under the Clean Water Act and is regulated by an NPDES permit issued by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, which sets limits on effluent quality.
For a plant of this size, secondary treatment is standard under the Clean Water Act, typically involving biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids.
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