Overview
ABINGDON STP serves approximately 3,171 people in Knox County, Illinois. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act framework, treating municipal wastewater before discharge.
ABINGDON STP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Knox County, Illinois, serving a population of about 3,171. The facility is situated in a rural area of western Illinois, near the city of Abingdon. As a small agglomeration, the plant plays a key role in managing local wastewater and protecting water quality in the region. Under the US Clean Water Act, wastewater treatment plants of this scale are typically required to meet secondary treatment standards through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting program. The plant's treatment processes and capacity are designed to comply with state and federal regulations, ensuring that effluent meets water quality criteria before discharge. The treated effluent from ABINGDON STP is discharged into a local water body that ultimately drains into the Mississippi River basin. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and provides water for agricultural and recreational uses downstream. Proper treatment at this facility helps prevent nutrient pollution and protects the ecological health of the receiving waters.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into a tributary of the Spoon River, which flows into the Illinois River and eventually the Mississippi River. This watershed is part of the larger Mississippi River basin, supporting diverse aquatic habitats and migratory bird routes. The region's agricultural landscape means that nutrient management is critical to prevent algal blooms and maintain water quality in downstream ecosystems.
Frequently asked questions
ABINGDON STP is located at 284 Knox Road 500 North, Knox County, Illinois, United States. It serves the Abingdon area and surrounding rural communities.
ABINGDON STP serves approximately 3,171 people, classifying it as a small municipal wastewater treatment plant.
The treated effluent from ABINGDON STP is discharged into a local water body that flows into the Spoon River, part of the Illinois River watershed, which ultimately reaches the Mississippi River.
As a US facility, ABINGDON STP operates under the Clean Water Act and is required to obtain an NPDES permit from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. This permit sets limits on effluent quality to protect receiving waters.
For a small plant like ABINGDON STP, secondary treatment is typically required under the Clean Water Act. This involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge.
Nearby plants