Somerset WWTP and Sewer System - Perry County, Ohio Advanced Wastewater Treatment

Somerset WWTP and Sewer System is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Reading Township, Perry County, Ohio. It serves a population of approximately 1,549 residents and operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for all discharges to surface waters. The plant provides advanced treatment, which goes beyond secondary treatment to remove additional nutrients and contaminants. With a designed capacity of 946.35 million gallons per year and an actual discharge volume of 723.01 million gallons per year, the facility operates below its capacity, indicating room for future growth or seasonal variations. The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that eventually drain into the Ohio River basin, supporting downstream ecosystems and water quality. The plant's advanced treatment helps protect the receiving waters from nutrient pollution and other contaminants, contributing to the overall health of the watershed.

The plant discharges into streams within the Muskingum River watershed, which flows into the Ohio River and ultimately the Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico. The local watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is part of a larger drainage system that provides drinking water and recreational opportunities. Advanced treatment at this plant helps reduce nutrient loading, which is critical for preventing algal blooms and maintaining water quality in downstream water bodies.