Southern MD Prerelease U Wastewater Treatment Plant, Cameron Ridge, Maryland

Southern MD Prerelease U is a wastewater treatment plant located in Cameron Ridge, Charles County, Maryland, within the United States. It serves a small population of 230 and operates as a secondary treatment facility, which is typical for smaller communities under the U.S. Clean Water Act framework. The plant has a designed capacity of 75.71 units and discharges a similar volume of treated wastewater. As a secondary treatment plant, it meets the national standard for removing organic matter and suspended solids before discharge. The facility is situated within 10 kilometers of the coast, indicating its proximity to tidal waters. The treated effluent from Southern MD Prerelease U ultimately drains into the Chesapeake Bay watershed, one of the largest and most ecologically significant estuaries in the United States. The bay supports diverse aquatic life, including blue crabs, oysters, and migratory fish, and is subject to nutrient pollution reduction goals under the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL).

The plant discharges into the Chesapeake Bay watershed, which drains into the Atlantic Ocean. The bay is a vital estuary that supports diverse aquatic life, including blue crabs, oysters, and striped bass. Nutrient and sediment inputs from wastewater plants in the region are managed under the Chesapeake Bay TMDL to protect water quality and habitat.