ST THOMAS TWP FRANKLIN STP - St. Thomas Township, Pennsylvania Wastewater Treatment Plant

ST THOMAS TWP FRANKLIN STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in St. Thomas Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania. The plant serves a small population of 443 residents and operates under the regulatory framework of the United States Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal discharges. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard biological process that removes biodegradable organic matter and suspended solids. Its designed capacity is 189.27 megaliters per year, with an actual discharge volume of 151.42 megaliters per year, indicating operational capacity utilization. As a US facility, it is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The treated effluent is discharged into a local waterway within the Potomac River basin, which ultimately drains into the Chesapeake Bay. The plant plays a role in protecting downstream water quality in this ecologically significant estuary, which supports diverse aquatic life and is a critical habitat for migratory species.

The plant discharges into a tributary of the Potomac River, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States and supports a rich ecosystem including blue crabs, oysters, and migratory birds. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient and pollutant loads, contributing to the bay's restoration efforts.