Anthon WWTP - Secondary Wastewater Treatment in Anthon, Iowa

Anthon WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Anthon, Woodbury County, Iowa. Serving a population of 638, the facility provides secondary treatment to meet state and federal water quality standards. The plant's designed capacity is 378,540 gallons per day, with an average daily discharge of 264,980 gallons. As a secondary treatment plant, Anthon WWTP uses biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids. The facility operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires NPDES permits for all point source discharges. For small communities like Anthon, secondary treatment is the standard to protect downstream water quality. The plant discharges into a local waterway that eventually drains into the Missouri River watershed. This region is part of the larger Mississippi River basin, supporting agricultural and ecological systems. Proper treatment helps maintain water quality for aquatic life and downstream uses.

The plant's treated effluent enters a local stream that flows into the Little Sioux River, a tributary of the Missouri River. The Missouri River then joins the Mississippi River, which drains into the Gulf of Mexico. This watershed supports diverse aquatic species and is important for regional agriculture and recreation. The plant's secondary treatment reduces nutrient loads that could contribute to downstream algal blooms.