Overview
West Newton Boro STP serves approximately 3,083 residents in West Newton, Pennsylvania. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the Youghiogheny River, a tributary of the Monongahela River, as part of the greater Ohio River basin.
West Newton Boro STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in West Newton, Pennsylvania, along Riverside Drive near the Youghiogheny River. The plant serves a population of about 3,083 people in this small borough within Westmoreland County. As a publicly owned treatment works (POTW), it is part of the regional wastewater infrastructure managed by local authorities. Plants of this scale in Pennsylvania typically provide secondary treatment as required under the U.S. Clean Water Act. The facility operates under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality in the receiving stream. The plant discharges treated effluent to the Youghiogheny River, which flows northward to join the Monongahela River at McKeesport. The Monongahela then meets the Allegheny River to form the Ohio River in Pittsburgh. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and provides drinking water for downstream communities. The plant's operations are critical to maintaining water quality in this heavily used river system.
Environmental context
The Youghiogheny River, receiving water for the plant, flows through a region of mixed forest and agricultural land before joining the Monongahela River. The Monongahela is a major tributary of the Ohio River, which ultimately drains to the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. This watershed supports a variety of fish species, including smallmouth bass and walleye, and is an important recreational corridor for boating and fishing. The plant's discharge must meet state water quality standards to protect these ecological and recreational uses.
Frequently asked questions
West Newton Boro STP is located at 101 Riverside Drive, West Newton, Pennsylvania, in Westmoreland County, United States.
The plant serves approximately 3,083 residents of West Newton borough.
The plant discharges treated wastewater into the Youghiogheny River, which flows into the Monongahela River and eventually the Ohio River.
As a municipal plant in the U.S., it operates under the Clean Water Act and is required to have an NPDES permit issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, setting effluent limits to protect water quality.
Plants of this size in Pennsylvania typically provide secondary treatment, which includes biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids, meeting federal minimum standards.
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