Overview
Winter Haven STP 3 is a municipal wastewater treatment plant serving 37,500 people in Winter Haven, Florida. It operates under the US Clean Water Act's NPDES permitting program.
Winter Haven STP 3 is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located on Logistics Parkway in Winter Haven, Polk County, Florida. The plant serves a population of approximately 37,500 residents, placing it in the medium-agglomeration category for US wastewater infrastructure. As a US facility, the plant operates under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program established by the Clean Water Act. For plants serving populations around 37,500, secondary treatment is typically required, with additional nutrient removal standards applicable in Florida's sensitive watersheds. The plant's discharge is regulated by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The treated effluent from Winter Haven STP 3 ultimately drains into the Peace River watershed, which flows into the Charlotte Harbor estuary and the Gulf of Mexico. This region supports diverse aquatic life, including seagrass beds and mangrove habitats, making proper wastewater treatment critical for downstream ecological health.
Environmental context
The plant's discharge enters the Peace River basin, which flows southward through central Florida to Charlotte Harbor, a large estuary on the Gulf Coast. This watershed supports diverse aquatic ecosystems, including freshwater wetlands and estuarine habitats that serve as nurseries for fish and shellfish. Nutrient loading from wastewater can contribute to algal blooms and hypoxia in downstream waters, so effective treatment is essential for maintaining water quality in this ecologically sensitive region.
Frequently asked questions
Winter Haven STP 3 is located on Logistics Parkway in Winter Haven, Polk County, Florida, United States.
The plant serves approximately 37,500 residents, classifying it as a medium-sized municipal treatment facility.
The treated effluent is discharged into the Peace River watershed, which flows to Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf of Mexico.
The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act, with NPDES permits issued by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Plants of this scale in Florida typically require secondary treatment with advanced nutrient removal to protect sensitive downstream ecosystems like Charlotte Harbor.
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