Overview
Western Virginia Water Auth WWTP serves Roanoke, Virginia, treating wastewater for approximately 189,000 residents. The plant discharges into the Roanoke River watershed, ultimately reaching the Atlantic Ocean.
The Western Virginia Water Auth WWTP is a major municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Roanoke, Virginia, United States. Serving a population of around 189,000, it is a large-scale plant that handles the wastewater needs of the Roanoke Valley region. As a facility operating under the U. S. Clean Water Act, the plant is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting requirements. For a plant of this size, secondary treatment is the minimum standard, with potential for advanced treatment depending on discharge permit conditions and receiving water quality goals. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the Roanoke River, which flows southeast through Virginia and North Carolina before emptying into Albemarle Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. The Roanoke River supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor in the region.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Roanoke River, a major tributary of Albemarle Sound. The river supports a variety of fish species, including striped bass and American shad, and provides habitat for freshwater mussels. Downstream, the estuary is a critical nursery for marine life. Protecting water quality in this watershed is essential for maintaining the ecological health of the river and the sound.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located at 13th Street Southeast in Roanoke, Virginia, United States.
The plant serves approximately 189,278 people in the Roanoke Valley area.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the Roanoke River, which flows into Albemarle Sound and eventually the Atlantic Ocean.
As a U. S. facility, it operates under the Clean Water Act and must comply with an NPDES permit issued by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.
Plants of this scale typically provide secondary treatment as a minimum, with many employing advanced treatment processes to meet nutrient removal requirements for sensitive watersheds.
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