Overview
Arkansas City WWTP serves approximately 11,100 people in Cowley County, Kansas. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the local watershed, contributing to the Arkansas River basin.
Arkansas City WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Cowley County, Kansas, serving an estimated population of 11,100. The plant is situated inland, far from coastal waters, and operates under the regulatory framework of the United States Clean Water Act, which requires National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for all discharges to surface waters. As a medium-sized agglomeration, the plant is expected to provide at least secondary treatment under federal regulations. The facility's design and operation are subject to state and federal oversight to ensure compliance with water quality standards. The treated effluent from Arkansas City WWTP is discharged into a receiving water body that ultimately flows into the Arkansas River, a major tributary of the Mississippi River system. This river supports diverse aquatic life and provides water for agricultural, industrial, and recreational uses downstream. The plant's operations play a key role in protecting water quality in the region.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into a local waterway that drains into the Arkansas River, which flows through Kansas and Oklahoma before joining the Mississippi River. The Arkansas River basin supports a variety of fish and wildlife, including several species of freshwater mussels and migratory birds. Protecting water quality in this watershed is important for maintaining ecological health and supporting downstream communities.
Frequently asked questions
Arkansas City WWTP is located on South M Street in Cowley County, Kansas, United States.
The plant serves approximately 11,100 people in the Cowley County area.
The plant discharges treated effluent into a local waterway that flows into the Arkansas River, part of the Mississippi River basin.
The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires an NPDES permit for discharges to surface waters, ensuring compliance with water quality standards.
Under the Clean Water Act, municipal plants of this size are typically required to provide at least secondary treatment to remove organic matter and suspended solids.
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