Salyersville STP - Wastewater Treatment Plant in Magoffin County, Kentucky

Salyersville STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Magoffin County, Kentucky, serving a population of about 3,213 residents. The plant is situated along KY 30 and operates under the regulatory framework of the United States Clean Water Act, which governs wastewater discharges through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. As a small-scale facility, it is subject to state-level oversight by the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet. Plants of this size in the United States typically employ secondary treatment as a minimum standard, which includes biological processes to reduce organic pollutants and suspended solids. The population served suggests a relatively small plant. Under the Clean Water Act, such facilities must meet effluent limits based on technology-based standards and water quality requirements for the receiving water body. The treated effluent from Salyersville STP discharges into a local stream that flows into the Licking River or Big Sandy River system, ultimately draining into the Ohio River and then the Mississippi River. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and provides drinking water for downstream communities. The plant plays a crucial role in protecting local water quality by removing pollutants before discharge, thereby safeguarding the ecological health of the region's waterways.

The plant discharges into a tributary of the Big Sandy River, which flows into the Ohio River and eventually the Mississippi River. This watershed supports diverse aquatic species and provides habitat for fish and macroinvertebrates. The region's karst topography can make groundwater vulnerable to contamination, emphasizing the importance of effective wastewater treatment to protect both surface and groundwater resources.