Adams County Water District Wastewater Treatment Plant, Illinois

Adams County Water District is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Adams County, Illinois, along US 24. The plant serves a small population of 842 residents, reflecting its role in a rural or small-town setting within the state's wastewater infrastructure. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by the U.S. Clean Water Act for most municipal facilities. With a designed capacity of 416.39 units and a discharge volume of 416.40 units, the plant operates near its full capacity. As a small facility, it is subject to EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting, typically administered by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body, likely a tributary of the Mississippi River, which ultimately drains into the Gulf of Mexico. The plant's operations help protect downstream water quality in the Mississippi River Basin, supporting aquatic life and recreational uses in the region.

The plant discharges into a local stream or river within the Mississippi River Basin, which flows south to the Gulf of Mexico. This watershed supports diverse aquatic ecosystems and is an important migratory corridor for fish and birds. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient and pollutant loads, mitigating eutrophication risks in downstream waters.