ALLIGATOR POTW - Alligator, Mississippi Wastewater Treatment Plant

ALLIGATOR POTW is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Alligator, Bolivar County, Mississippi, United States. The plant serves a small population of 195 residents, reflecting its role in a rural community. It is situated in the Mississippi Delta region, an area characterized by flat, fertile floodplains and extensive agriculture. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required under the U.S. Clean Water Act for municipal facilities. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids. The plant has a designed capacity of 113.56 cubic meters per day and currently discharges 37.85 cubic meters daily, indicating it operates well below its capacity. As a U.S. facility, it operates under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality. The treated effluent from ALLIGATOR POTW is discharged into a local water body that ultimately drains into the Mississippi River Basin. The Mississippi River is one of the largest river systems in North America, flowing into the Gulf of Mexico. The plant's discharge contributes to the overall nutrient load in the basin, which is a concern for downstream hypoxia in the Gulf. Protecting local streams and the larger watershed is critical for maintaining aquatic habitat and water quality.

ALLIGATOR POTW discharges into a local tributary within the Mississippi River Basin, which flows southward to the Gulf of Mexico. The Mississippi River Delta and the Gulf are ecologically sensitive areas supporting diverse aquatic life, including commercially important fish and shellfish. Nutrient pollution from wastewater and agricultural runoff contributes to seasonal hypoxic zones in the Gulf, making effective treatment and nutrient management important for downstream ecosystem health.