BARNES WWTP - Barnes, Kansas Wastewater Treatment Plant

BARNES WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Barnes, Washington County, Kansas. It serves a small population of 150 residents, reflecting the rural character of the area. The plant operates under the regulatory framework of the US Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal wastewater discharges. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard biological process that removes organic matter and suspended solids. With a designed capacity of 83.28 million gallons per year and an actual discharge volume of 56.78 million gallons per year, the facility operates below its capacity. This suggests adequate headroom for current demand. The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that ultimately drain into the Kansas River basin and then the Missouri River system. The plant plays a role in protecting water quality in the region, supporting downstream aquatic habitats and agricultural water uses.

The plant's discharge enters the watershed of the Kansas River, which flows eastward to join the Missouri River near Kansas City. This river system supports diverse aquatic life and provides water for irrigation and municipal use downstream. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient and organic loads, protecting the ecological health of the receiving waters.