Scottsville STP - Secondary Wastewater Treatment in Scottsville, Virginia

Scottsville STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Scottsville, Albemarle County, Virginia. The plant serves a small population of 723 residents, reflecting the rural character of the area. It operates under the regulatory framework of the US Clean Water Act, which requires NPDES permits for all discharges. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard level for small communities in the United States. Its designed capacity is 302.83 megaliters, with an actual discharge volume of 151.42 megaliters, indicating moderate utilization. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body, likely a tributary of the James River, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay. The plant plays a role in protecting downstream water quality in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, an ecologically significant estuary. Its operation supports local environmental health and compliance with state and federal water quality standards.

The plant discharges into a water body within the James River basin, which ultimately drains into the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States, supporting diverse aquatic life including blue crabs, oysters, and migratory fish. Nutrient and sediment pollution from wastewater can impact bay health, making treatment standards critical for ecosystem protection.