ATWATER STP - Secondary Wastewater Treatment Plant in Atwater, Minnesota

ATWATER STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Atwater, Kandiyohi County, Minnesota. The plant serves a small community of about 1,144 residents, providing secondary treatment to meet state and federal water quality standards. The plant has a designed capacity of 757.08 million gallons per year and currently treats an average discharge volume of 704.09 million gallons annually. As a secondary treatment facility, it utilizes biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids, complying with the US Clean Water Act requirements for publicly owned treatment works. The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that ultimately drain into the Mississippi River Basin. The plant plays a crucial role in protecting downstream aquatic ecosystems and maintaining water quality in the region's lakes and rivers.

The plant discharges into receiving waters that flow into the Minnesota River and eventually the Mississippi River, a major waterway supporting diverse aquatic life and providing drinking water for millions. The region's watershed includes numerous lakes and wetlands that are sensitive to nutrient pollution, making effective wastewater treatment essential for preventing eutrophication and preserving habitat for fish and wildlife.