Overview
STUARTS DRAFT STP serves approximately 16,350 people in Augusta County, Virginia. The plant discharges treated wastewater into local waterways within the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
STUARTS DRAFT STP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Augusta County, Virginia, serving a population of about 16,350. The facility is part of the region's wastewater infrastructure, managing effluent from residential and commercial sources in the area. As a medium-sized plant in the United States, it operates under the Clean Water Act, which requires National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for all discharges. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality typically issues these permits, setting limits on pollutants to protect water quality. The plant's treated effluent flows into local streams and rivers that drain into the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. The bay supports diverse aquatic life, including blue crabs, oysters, and migratory fish. Nutrient removal is critical in this watershed to prevent algal blooms and hypoxia, making the plant's performance important for downstream ecological health.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into tributaries of the Shenandoah River, which flows northward to join the Potomac River and ultimately reaches the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay is a vital estuary that supports a complex ecosystem of fish, shellfish, and waterfowl. Nutrient pollution from wastewater can contribute to eutrophication, so effective treatment is essential for maintaining water quality in this sensitive watershed.
Frequently asked questions
STUARTS DRAFT STP is located in Augusta County, Virginia, United States, near Wayne Avenue.
The plant serves approximately 16,350 people in the Stuarts Draft area of Augusta County.
The plant discharges treated effluent into local streams that are part of the Shenandoah River watershed, which flows to the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay.
As a US plant, it operates under the Clean Water Act, requiring an NPDES permit issued by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, with limits on pollutants to protect water quality.
Plants of this scale in Virginia typically provide secondary treatment, which includes biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids, often with disinfection.
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