Overview
Sullivans Island Plant serves 4,100 people on Sullivan's Island, South Carolina. The facility discharges treated wastewater into the Atlantic coastal environment.
The Sullivans Island Plant is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located on Sullivan's Island, South Carolina, serving a population of approximately 4,100 residents. The plant is situated within the historic district of the island, which is part of Charleston County. As a US facility, the plant operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. For a small coastal community, treatment typically involves secondary or advanced processes to meet state and federal standards for coastal discharge. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the surrounding coastal waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Sullivan's Island is part of the Charleston Harbor estuary system, which supports diverse marine life including shellfish, fish, and migratory birds. Proper treatment is critical to protect water quality in this ecologically sensitive coastal zone.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Atlantic Ocean near the entrance to Charleston Harbor. This coastal area supports salt marshes, tidal creeks, and estuarine habitats that are vital for fish spawning, shellfish beds, and bird migration. The region's water quality is closely monitored to protect recreational uses and marine ecosystems.
Frequently asked questions
The Sullivans Island Plant is located on Sullivan's Island, South Carolina, within the Sullivan's Island Historic District in Charleston County.
The plant serves approximately 4,100 residents of Sullivan's Island.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the Atlantic Ocean near the entrance to Charleston Harbor, a coastal environment subject to strict water quality standards.
As a US facility, the plant operates under the Clean Water Act and must comply with an NPDES permit issued by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Small coastal plants in the US typically employ secondary or advanced treatment to meet stringent discharge limits that protect marine ecosystems and recreational waters.
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