ARCADIA WWTP - Secondary Treatment Plant in Crawford County, Kansas

ARCADIA WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Crawford County, Kansas, United States. The plant serves a small population of 391 residents, reflecting its role in a rural community. It operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Clean Water Act, which governs wastewater discharges through National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard level that removes biodegradable organic matter and suspended solids. With a designed capacity of 162.77 units and a current discharge volume of 147.63 units, the facility operates below its capacity, indicating room for growth or seasonal variability. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes such as activated sludge or trickling filters. The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body, likely a stream or river within the Arkansas River basin, which ultimately drains into the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. The plant's inland location, over 50 km from the coast, reduces direct marine impact. Its operation supports local water quality and downstream ecosystems in the region.

The plant discharges into a local water body within the Arkansas River watershed, which flows into the Mississippi River and eventually the Gulf of Mexico. This inland location supports aquatic life in streams and rivers, contributing to the ecological health of the region. The surrounding area is primarily agricultural, so the plant helps mitigate nutrient pollution that could otherwise impact downstream water quality.