SWAN QUARTER SD WWTP - Swan Quarter, North Carolina Wastewater Treatment Plant

SWAN QUARTER SD WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located on Landing Road in Swan Quarter, Hyde County, North Carolina. The plant serves a small population of 650 residents and operates with a designed capacity of 473.18 m³/day, currently discharging 189.27 m³/day of treated effluent. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required under the US Clean Water Act for municipal facilities. As a small agglomeration, it is subject to EPA NPDES permitting through the state of North Carolina, ensuring compliance with effluent limits that protect water quality. The treated wastewater is discharged into local waterways that drain into the Pamlico Sound, part of the larger Albemarle-Pamlico estuarine system. This region supports diverse aquatic life and is an important migratory corridor for fish and birds. The plant's coastal proximity underscores the need for effective nutrient removal to prevent eutrophication in sensitive estuarine environments.

The plant discharges into the Pamlico Sound via local tributaries, ultimately draining into the Atlantic Ocean. The Pamlico Sound is the largest lagoon on the US East Coast and supports critical habitats for fish, shellfish, and migratory waterfowl. The region's shallow waters and limited tidal exchange make it sensitive to nutrient loading, requiring careful management of wastewater discharges.