Overview
Riverhead T STP and On Site Systems serves 6,600 people in Riverhead, New York. The plant is located within 50 km of the coast and operates under U.S. Clean Water Act regulations.
Riverhead T STP and On Site Systems is a municipal wastewater treatment facility serving the town of Riverhead, New York, on Long Island. The plant handles wastewater for a population of approximately 6,600 residents, contributing to local sanitation and water quality management in Suffolk County. As a U.S. facility, the plant operates under the Clean Water Act's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, which sets discharge limits to protect water quality. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Peconic River and Peconic Bay, part of the Long Island Sound estuary. This coastal ecosystem supports diverse marine life, including shellfish and finfish, and is important for regional recreation and fisheries.
Environmental context
The plant's discharge enters the Peconic River system, which flows into Peconic Bay and then the Atlantic Ocean via Long Island Sound. This coastal watershed supports ecologically sensitive habitats, including tidal wetlands and seagrass beds that provide nursery grounds for fish and shellfish. Nutrient loading from wastewater can impact water quality and contribute to algal blooms, making treatment performance critical for ecosystem health.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located at 56 Riverside Drive, Riverhead, Suffolk County, New York, United States.
The plant serves approximately 6,600 residents in the Riverhead area.
Treated wastewater is discharged into the local watershed, which flows into the Peconic River and ultimately Peconic Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
As a U.S. facility, it operates under the Clean Water Act and is regulated via an NPDES permit issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
For a small community plant like this, secondary treatment is standard under the Clean Water Act, which typically includes biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids.
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