Overview
Belle Plaine WWTP serves approximately 2,834 residents in Benton County, Iowa. The plant discharges treated wastewater into local waterways under the U.S. Clean Water Act framework.
Belle Plaine WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Benton County, Iowa, serving a population of about 2,834. The plant is situated in the rural Midwest, where agriculture and small communities shape the local water management landscape. As a facility serving a small population, Belle Plaine WWTP is subject to the U.S. Clean Water Act and operates under an NPDES permit issued by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. For communities of this size, secondary treatment is typically required to meet effluent standards for biochemical oxygen demand and total suspended solids. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into a local stream that eventually drains into the Iowa River, a tributary of the Mississippi River. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and provides water for agricultural and recreational uses downstream.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into a local tributary of the Iowa River, which flows into the Mississippi River and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico. The watershed is predominantly agricultural, with nutrient runoff being a key concern. The plant's treatment processes help reduce pollutant loads that could contribute to hypoxia in the Gulf.
Frequently asked questions
Belle Plaine WWTP is located in Benton County, Iowa, United States, serving the community of Belle Plaine and surrounding areas.
The plant serves approximately 2,834 residents, classifying it as a small-scale municipal wastewater treatment facility.
The treated effluent is discharged into a local stream that flows into the Iowa River, part of the Mississippi River basin.
The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, with an NPDES permit issued by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, requiring secondary treatment standards.
For small communities in Iowa, secondary treatment is standard, involving biological processes to reduce organic matter and solids before discharge.
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