AL CO RWD 13 WWTP PETROLIA - Secondary Wastewater Treatment in Petrolia, Kansas

AL CO RWD 13 WWTP PETROLIA is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Petrolia, a small community in Allen County, Kansas. The plant serves a population of around 100 residents, reflecting its role in a rural setting. As a secondary treatment facility, it provides biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for all wastewater discharges. For small plants like this, permits are typically issued by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, setting effluent limits based on water quality standards. The designed capacity of 37.85 units aligns with the low population served, indicating a facility sized for the local demand. The treated effluent is discharged into a local waterway, contributing to the Neosho River basin, which flows southeast through Kansas into Oklahoma. The plant's location inland, far from coastal areas, reduces direct marine impact. Its secondary treatment level ensures compliance with basic environmental protections for the receiving stream, supporting aquatic life and downstream water quality.

The plant discharges into a tributary of the Neosho River, which flows through southeastern Kansas into the Verdigris River system, ultimately reaching the Arkansas River and the Mississippi River basin. This watershed supports diverse aquatic habitats and is used for recreation and agriculture. The receiving stream is part of a larger network that drains into the Gulf of Mexico, making nutrient management relevant for downstream hypoxia concerns.