Overview
Sun Ray WWTP is an advanced treatment plant serving 2,250 people in Polk County, Florida. It discharges 794.94 thousand cubic meters of treated wastewater annually, with a designed capacity of 1,514.16 thousand cubic meters.
Sun Ray WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Polk County, Florida, United States. The plant serves a population of approximately 2,250 residents, providing advanced treatment to protect local water quality. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for discharges into surface waters. Advanced treatment goes beyond secondary treatment, typically removing nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus to meet stringent water quality standards. The facility has a designed capacity of 1,514.16 thousand cubic meters and currently discharges 794.94 thousand cubic meters annually. The treated effluent is discharged into a receiving water body within the Peace River watershed, which flows into the Gulf of Mexico. The plant's advanced treatment helps protect downstream ecosystems, including estuaries and coastal habitats that support diverse aquatic life and recreational activities.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Peace River basin, which drains into Charlotte Harbor and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico. This watershed supports a variety of aquatic species and is an important migratory corridor for birds and fish. Advanced treatment reduces nutrient loading, helping to prevent eutrophication in downstream estuaries and maintain water quality for sensitive habitats.
Frequently asked questions
Sun Ray WWTP is located in Polk County, Florida, United States, near the intersection of US 27 and US 98.
Sun Ray WWTP serves a population of approximately 2,250 people in the Polk County area.
The plant uses advanced treatment processes to treat wastewater before discharging the effluent into a receiving water body within the Peace River watershed, which flows to the Gulf of Mexico.
Sun Ray WWTP operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires an NPDES permit for discharges. The permit is issued by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection or the EPA, setting limits on pollutants to protect water quality.
In Florida, plants serving small populations often use advanced treatment to meet strict nutrient limits, especially in sensitive watersheds. This helps protect downstream water bodies like the Gulf of Mexico from eutrophication.
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