Round Hill STP - Advanced Wastewater Treatment in Loudoun County, Virginia

Round Hill STP is a wastewater treatment facility located in Loudoun County, Virginia, United States. It serves a population of approximately 790 residents, classifying it as a small-scale municipal plant. The plant is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and operates within the broader wastewater infrastructure of the region. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients and other pollutants. With a designed capacity of 1514.16 units and a current discharge volume of 151.42 units, the facility operates well below its capacity, indicating room for future growth. As a US-based plant, it operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, ensuring compliance with federal water quality standards. The treated effluent from Round Hill STP is discharged into local waterways that ultimately drain into the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay watershed is ecologically significant, supporting diverse aquatic life and serving as a critical habitat for fish and migratory birds. The plant's advanced treatment helps reduce nutrient loading, contributing to the restoration of the bay's health.

Round Hill STP discharges into streams that flow into the Potomac River, which empties into the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States and supports a rich ecosystem, including blue crabs, oysters, and striped bass. Nutrient pollution from wastewater is a key concern, and advanced treatment at this plant helps mitigate eutrophication and hypoxia in the bay.