Water Pollution Control

The Wheeling Water Pollution Control Division operates and maintains the wastewater collection and treatment system serving the City of Wheeling and surrounding communities.

The wastewater collection system includes more than 300 miles of sewer lines and serves most of Ohio County and parts of Marshall County. Many sections of the system remain combined, meaning stormwater and wastewater share the same pipes. As a result, flows to the treatment plant can increase significantly during wet-weather events.

The treatment plant is designed to treat an average flow of 10 million gallons per day and can hydraulically handle flows of up to 35 million gallons per day during peak conditions.

Wastewater enters the treatment plant through a 72-inch sewer line and flows through bar screens that remove large debris. It is then pumped to an aerated grit chamber where sand and grit are removed to protect downstream equipment. From the grit chamber, wastewater enters two primary clarifiers where heavier solids settle and are pumped to the sludge treatment process. Partially clarified wastewater the flowers to aeration tanks where biological treatment removes dissolved organic material. The treated flow moves to final settling tanks where activated sludge settles and is either returned to the aeration tanks ot sent for further sludge processing. The clarified effluent then passes through an ultraviolet disinfection system before being discharged to the Ohio River. From the time wastewater enters the plant until it is discharged the complete treatment process typically takes approximately 12 hours.

Many sewer issues can be prevented with simple maintenance and proper connections inside and outside of the home such as the following:

Keep traps filled with water. Floor drains, basement drains and sinks that are rarely used can dry out over time allowing sewer gases to enter the home.

• Pour water into unused drains at least once a month.

• A small amount of mineral oil can slow evaporation in seldom used drains.

Stormwater and Downspout Connections. In older neighborhoods, roof downspouts, foundation drains and other stormwater sources are sometimes connected to the sanitary sewer system. During heavy rain, these connections can send large volumes of clean rainwater into sewer pipes that are designed to carry wastewater. This added flow can overwhelm the system and increase the risk of sewer backups into basements and lower-level plumbing. Reducing stormwater entering the sewer system helps lower peak flows during storms and reduces the likelihood of sewer overflows and backups in homes.

• Disconnect roof downspouts from sanitary sewer connections.

• Direct downspouts away from foundations toward lawns or approved drainage areas.

• Ensure foundation drains and sump pumps discharge outside and are not connected to the sewer.

Protect Basement Plumbing. During heavy rain, combined sewer systems can experience higher flows.

• Keep sewer drains clear and functional.

• Consider a backwater valve if your home has a history of sewer backups.

• Maintain sump pumps and verify proper discharge locations.

Wheeling's Water Pollution Control Division operates a WVDEP-certified laboratory that performs routine testing to verify treatment performance and regulatory compliance. Testing includes bacteria levels, organic strength, nutrients and solids removal to confirm that the treatment process is effectively reducing pathogens before discharge. All testing is conducted by trained personnel using approved methods and reported to regulators as required.

Wastewater monitoring is also used nationwide as a community-level public health tool. While individual households are never identified, wastewater data can provide early indicators of disease trends within a community. This monitoring provides anonymized, system-wide insight that supports public health agencies.

The Wheeling Water Pollution Control Division offers guided tours of the treatment plant for schools, civic organizations, environmental groups and interested residents. For information or to schedule a tour, please call (304) 234-3874. The treatment plant is an active industrial facility operating 24 hours a day. In the interest of safety, tour participants must adhere to the following: 

• Closed-toe shoes, socks and long pants are required.

• Tours may be cancelled due to plant operations, emergencies or weather conditions. WPCD reserves the right to refuse or cancel tours as necessary.

Tours are free of charge and typically last 1-2 hours. Tours are open to those age 10 and older. Group size is limited to 20 participants depending on the composition of the group.