Overview
Sylacauga J Earl Ham WWTP serves approximately 8,525 residents in Sylacauga, Alabama. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act, treating municipal wastewater before discharge.
The Sylacauga J Earl Ham WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Sylacauga, Alabama, serving a population of about 8,525. The plant is situated inland in Talladega County, part of the Coosa River basin. As a US facility of this scale, the plant is subject to the Clean Water Act and operates under an NPDES permit issued by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. Secondary treatment is the minimum standard for municipal plants under federal regulations, ensuring removal of organic matter and suspended solids. The plant's treated effluent likely discharges to a tributary of the Coosa River, which flows into the Alabama River and eventually to the Mobile Bay estuary. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and provides drinking water for downstream communities.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Coosa River watershed, which flows through Alabama and joins the Alabama River before reaching Mobile Bay. This river system supports diverse fish populations and provides habitat for freshwater mussels. The Mobile Bay estuary is a critical nursery for marine species and supports a productive fishery.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located at 524 J Earl Ham Drive in Sylacauga, Talladega County, Alabama, United States.
The plant serves approximately 8,525 residents in the Sylacauga area.
The plant discharges treated effluent into a tributary of the Coosa River, which flows into the Alabama River and eventually to Mobile Bay.
The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act and is regulated by an NPDES permit issued by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.
Under the Clean Water Act, municipal plants of this size are required to provide at least secondary treatment, which removes 85% of organic matter and suspended solids.
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