STDSVLE GREENE REG STP - Madison County, Virginia Wastewater Treatment Plant

STDSVLE GREENE REG STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located at 916 Fishback Road in Madison County, Virginia. The plant serves a population of approximately 4,500 residents and operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Clean Water Act, which governs discharges through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard level for communities of this size in the United States. Its designed capacity is 681.37 cubic meters per day, with a current discharge volume of 189.27 cubic meters per day, indicating operational headroom. As a secondary facility, it uses biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge. The treated effluent flows into local streams that are part of the Rappahannock River watershed, which ultimately drains into the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay is a large estuary of ecological and economic importance, and nutrient removal from wastewater is a key focus in the region to combat eutrophication and protect aquatic life.

The plant discharges into tributaries of the Rappahannock River, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. The bay supports diverse aquatic species, including blue crabs, oysters, and striped bass, and is a critical migratory corridor for birds. Nutrient loading from wastewater is a concern in this watershed, and secondary treatment helps reduce organic pollutants but may not fully address nitrogen and phosphorus. The plant's inland location (over 50 km from the coast) reduces direct marine impact, but its discharge contributes to the bay's overall nutrient budget.