West Milford Township Birch Hill CS_STP Wastewater Treatment Plant, New Jersey

West Milford Township Birch Hill CS_STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in West Milford, Passaic County, New Jersey. The plant serves a small population of 850 residents, reflecting its role in a rural-suburban community in the northern part of the state. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level for domestic wastewater under the U.S. Clean Water Act. With a designed capacity of 189.27 megaliters per year and an actual discharge volume of 136.28 megaliters, the facility operates below its capacity, indicating room for future growth or seasonal variability. The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that drain into the Passaic River, a major river in northeastern New Jersey. The Passaic River flows into Newark Bay and ultimately the Atlantic Ocean. The plant's operations help protect the ecological health of the Passaic River watershed, which supports diverse aquatic life and recreational uses.

The plant discharges into the Passaic River watershed, which flows through urban and suburban areas before reaching Newark Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. The downstream environment includes freshwater and estuarine habitats that support fish, birds, and other wildlife. The Passaic River has faced historical pollution challenges, making effective treatment crucial for maintaining water quality and ecosystem health.