Surry STP - Advanced Wastewater Treatment in Surry County, Virginia

Surry STP is a wastewater treatment facility located in Surry County, Virginia, serving a small community of 355 residents. The plant is situated near the coast, within 10 kilometers of the Atlantic Ocean, and treats wastewater to an advanced level before discharge. The plant has a designed capacity of 227.12 megaliters and currently treats 113.56 megaliters annually, indicating it operates below capacity. As a U.S. facility, it is subject to the Clean Water Act and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality. The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that drain into the James River and eventually the Chesapeake Bay, a major estuary. The advanced treatment helps reduce nutrient and pollutant loads, supporting the ecological health of the bay and its tributaries.

Surry STP discharges into the James River watershed, which flows into the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. The bay supports diverse aquatic life, including blue crabs, oysters, and migratory fish. Advanced treatment at this plant helps minimize nutrient pollution, which is critical for preventing algal blooms and hypoxia in the bay.