SHAMOKIN COAL TWP STP - Ralpho Township, Pennsylvania Wastewater Treatment Plant

SHAMOKIN COAL TWP STP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Ralpho Township, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. It serves a population of approximately 17,757 residents in the region. The plant is situated inland, more than 50 kilometers from the coast, and discharges into local waterways. As a US facility, the plant operates under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, which is part of the Clean Water Act. For a plant serving a medium-sized agglomeration of this scale, secondary treatment is typically required, with additional nutrient removal if discharging into sensitive watersheds. Regulatory compliance ensures environmental protection. The treated effluent from the plant likely discharges into a tributary of the Susquehanna River, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay is a major estuary with significant ecological importance, supporting diverse aquatic life and migratory species. The plant's operations contribute to the health of this downstream ecosystem by reducing pollutant loads.

The plant discharges into a local waterway that is part of the Susquehanna River basin, which ultimately drains into the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay is a large estuary that supports a diverse ecosystem, including fish, crabs, and waterfowl. Nutrient pollution from wastewater can contribute to algal blooms and hypoxia in the bay, making effective treatment crucial for downstream water quality.