Overview
Alcorn State University wastewater treatment plant serves the university community in Alcorn, Mississippi. It is an inland facility operating under U.S. EPA and Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality regulations.
Alcorn State University wastewater treatment plant is located on Research Drive in Alcorn, Claiborne County, Mississippi. The facility serves a population of approximately 2,859 people, primarily the university campus and surrounding area. As a small-scale municipal plant, it plays a key role in managing wastewater for this rural community. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for all discharges. For facilities of this size, secondary treatment is typically mandated, with additional nutrient controls if discharging to sensitive waters. The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality oversees permitting and compliance. Treated effluent from the plant likely discharges to a local waterway within the Mississippi River basin. The region's aquatic ecosystems include streams and rivers that support diverse fish and wildlife. Proper treatment helps protect downstream water quality in the Mississippi River and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into a local tributary within the Mississippi River watershed, which flows south to the Gulf of Mexico. The region's aquatic habitats support species such as catfish, bass, and migratory waterfowl. Maintaining effective treatment is important to prevent nutrient loading that could contribute to hypoxia in the Gulf.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located on Research Drive in Alcorn, Claiborne County, Mississippi, United States.
The plant serves approximately 2,859 people, primarily the Alcorn State University campus and surrounding community.
The treated effluent is discharged to a local waterway within the Mississippi River basin, ultimately reaching the Gulf of Mexico.
The plant must comply with an NPDES permit issued by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, typically requiring secondary treatment and monitoring of effluent quality.
Small municipal plants in Mississippi commonly use secondary treatment processes such as activated sludge or lagoon systems, with disinfection before discharge.
Nearby plants