SHICKSHINNY BORO STP - Secondary Wastewater Treatment in Conyngham Township, Pennsylvania

SHICKSHINNY BORO STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Conyngham Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. The plant serves a population of approximately 2,994 residents and operates under the regulatory framework of the United States Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal wastewater discharges. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard biological process that removes organic matter and suspended solids. With a designed capacity of 1,703.43 million gallons per year and an actual discharge volume of 987.99 million gallons per year, the facility operates well within its capacity. As a small to medium-sized plant, it is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality. The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body, likely a tributary of the Susquehanna River, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay watershed is ecologically significant, supporting diverse aquatic life and serving as a critical habitat for migratory birds and fish species. The plant's operations contribute to maintaining water quality in this important estuarine ecosystem.

The plant discharges into a local stream that drains into the Susquehanna River, which ultimately flows into the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. The Chesapeake Bay watershed supports a rich diversity of aquatic life, including blue crabs, oysters, and striped bass, and is a vital migratory corridor for waterfowl. Secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient and pollutant loads, protecting downstream habitats from eutrophication and hypoxia.