Overview
SPARTA STP serves approximately 4,925 residents in Sparta, Tennessee. The plant treats municipal wastewater under the U.S. Clean Water Act framework.
SPARTA STP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Sparta, White County, Tennessee. Serving a population of about 4,925, it is classified as a small-to-medium agglomeration under U.S. regulatory standards. The facility is situated in the Middle Tennessee region, an area characterized by rolling hills and a temperate climate. As a U.S. plant, SPARTA STP operates under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, which is authorized by the Clean Water Act. For plants of this scale, secondary treatment is typically required to meet effluent limits for biochemical oxygen demand and total suspended solids. The regulatory framework ensures compliance with water quality standards. The plant discharges treated wastewater into a local waterway that ultimately drains into the Cumberland River basin and then to the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. This downstream connection makes the plant's performance important for the ecological health of the broader watershed, which supports diverse aquatic life and provides water resources for communities downstream.
Environmental context
SPARTA STP discharges into a tributary of the Cumberland River, which flows into the Ohio River and then the Mississippi River before reaching the Gulf of Mexico. The local watershed in Middle Tennessee supports diverse aquatic habitats, including fish and macroinvertebrate communities. Proper treatment at this plant helps protect downstream water quality and the ecological integrity of the Cumberland River system.
Frequently asked questions
SPARTA STP is located on Winding River Lane in Sparta, White County, Middle Tennessee, Tennessee, United States.
SPARTA STP serves approximately 4,925 residents in the Sparta area.
The plant discharges treated wastewater into a local tributary that flows into the Cumberland River, part of the Mississippi River basin.
SPARTA STP operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires NPDES permits for wastewater discharges. Plants of this size typically need secondary treatment to meet effluent limits.
For plants serving around 5,000 people, secondary treatment is standard under the Clean Water Act. This involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge.
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