Overview
White Lake WWTP serves the community of White Lake, North Carolina, treating wastewater for approximately 4,137 residents. The plant discharges into local waterways within the Cape Fear River basin.
White Lake WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in White Lake, North Carolina, serving a population of about 4,137. The plant is situated in Bladen County, part of the coastal plain region of the state. As a small-scale facility, it plays a key role in managing local wastewater and protecting public health and the environment. Under the U.S. Clean Water Act, wastewater treatment plants of this size typically require secondary treatment as a minimum standard. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, administered by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, governs discharge limits and monitoring requirements. The plant's treatment processes are designed to meet these regulatory standards, ensuring that effluent quality protects receiving waters. The plant's treated effluent ultimately drains into the Cape Fear River basin, which flows southeast to the Atlantic Ocean. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and provides drinking water for downstream communities. Proper treatment at White Lake WWTP helps reduce nutrient loading and other pollutants that could impact the river's ecological health and the coastal estuary.
Environmental context
White Lake WWTP discharges into local streams that are part of the Cape Fear River watershed. The Cape Fear River flows through southeastern North Carolina and empties into the Atlantic Ocean near Cape Fear. This river system supports a variety of fish and wildlife, including migratory species, and is an important resource for recreation and drinking water. The plant's operations help maintain water quality in this ecologically sensitive coastal plain watershed.
Frequently asked questions
White Lake WWTP is located at 22 East Williams Street, White Lake, Bladen County, North Carolina, United States.
The plant serves approximately 4,137 residents in the White Lake area.
The plant discharges treated effluent into local waterways that are part of the Cape Fear River basin, which flows to the Atlantic Ocean.
The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act and is subject to an NPDES permit issued by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, which sets discharge limits and monitoring requirements.
For small communities in the U.S., secondary treatment is the standard minimum under the Clean Water Act. This typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge.
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