Bedford WWTP - Secondary Treatment Plant in Taylor County, Iowa

Bedford WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Taylor County, Iowa, United States. The plant serves a population of approximately 1,620 residents, classifying it as a small-scale treatment facility within the state's wastewater infrastructure. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by the U.S. Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater facilities. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids. The plant has a designed capacity of 1,514.16 units and currently treats an average daily flow of 643.52 units, indicating operational capacity below its design limit. The treated effluent from Bedford WWTP is discharged into a local waterway, contributing to the Missouri River watershed. The plant's operations are regulated under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality and aquatic life in the receiving waters.

The plant discharges into a tributary of the Missouri River basin, which flows into the Mississippi River and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico. The local watershed supports agricultural land use and provides habitat for fish and wildlife. Proper treatment helps reduce nutrient loading, which is critical for preventing downstream hypoxia in the Gulf.