Overview
Bells Lagoon wastewater treatment plant serves the town of Bells, Tennessee, in Crockett County. It treats wastewater for approximately 2,300 residents under U.S. EPA and state regulatory oversight.
Bells Lagoon is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Bells, Tennessee, a small town in Crockett County within the West Tennessee region. The plant serves a population of about 2,300 people, reflecting its role as a small-scale facility for the local community. As a U.S. facility, Bells Lagoon operates under the Clean Water Act, which requires National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for all wastewater discharges. For small agglomerations like Bells, secondary treatment is typically mandated to reduce organic pollutants and suspended solids before discharge. The plant discharges treated effluent into a local waterway that ultimately drains into the Mississippi River watershed. This river system supports diverse aquatic life and provides drinking water for millions downstream, making proper treatment essential for protecting water quality in the region.
Environmental context
Bells Lagoon discharges into a tributary of the Hatchie River, which flows into the Mississippi River. The Mississippi River watershed is one of the largest in North America, supporting extensive aquatic biodiversity and providing critical habitat for migratory birds and fish. Proper wastewater treatment helps prevent nutrient pollution and maintains the ecological health of this important river system.
Frequently asked questions
Bells Lagoon is located at 12899 US 70A/US 79 in Bells, Crockett County, West Tennessee, Tennessee, United States.
Bells Lagoon serves approximately 2,300 residents in the town of Bells and surrounding areas.
Bells Lagoon discharges treated effluent into a local tributary that flows into the Hatchie River, part of the Mississippi River watershed.
Bells Lagoon operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires an NPDES permit issued by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. Small plants like this typically must meet secondary treatment standards.
For small communities in the U.S., secondary treatment is standard, involving biological processes to reduce biochemical oxygen demand and suspended solids. Some plants may also include disinfection to protect recreational waters.
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