Overview
Selinsgrove STP serves approximately 12,279 people in Penn Township, Pennsylvania. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the Susquehanna River basin, which drains to the Chesapeake Bay.
Selinsgrove STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located on South Front Street in Penn Township, Snyder County, Pennsylvania. The plant serves a population of about 12,279 residents in the Selinsgrove area, operating as part of the region's public sanitation infrastructure. As a U.S. facility, Selinsgrove STP operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting requirements. For a plant serving a population of this size, secondary treatment is typically mandated, with possible nutrient reduction requirements due to the Chesapeake Bay watershed's sensitivity to nitrogen and phosphorus. The plant's treated effluent discharges into a tributary of the Susquehanna River, which flows south through Pennsylvania and into the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States and supports diverse aquatic life, including blue crabs, oysters, and migratory fish. Nutrient management at plants like Selinsgrove STP is critical to reducing algal blooms and maintaining bay health.
Environmental context
The plant's discharge enters the Susquehanna River basin, which ultimately drains into the Chesapeake Bay. The bay is an ecologically sensitive estuary that supports a complex food web and is a vital habitat for numerous species, including the Atlantic sturgeon and striped bass. Nutrient pollution from wastewater treatment plants in the watershed contributes to hypoxic zones, making advanced treatment and permit compliance essential for downstream water quality.
Frequently asked questions
Selinsgrove STP is located on South Front Street in Penn Township, Snyder County, Pennsylvania, United States.
The plant serves approximately 12,279 residents in the Selinsgrove area of central Pennsylvania.
The plant discharges treated effluent into a tributary of the Susquehanna River, which flows south to the Chesapeake Bay.
As a U.S. facility, Selinsgrove STP operates under the Clean Water Act and is regulated via an NPDES permit issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
Plants of this scale in Pennsylvania typically employ secondary treatment, often with nutrient removal to meet Chesapeake Bay watershed requirements.
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