Overview
Benson STP serves approximately 3,200 residents in Benson, Minnesota. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the local watershed, which ultimately drains to the Minnesota River basin.
Benson STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Benson, Swift County, Minnesota, serving a population of about 3,213. As a small community plant in the Upper Midwest, it plays a key role in protecting local water quality. Under the U.S. Clean Water Act, municipal wastewater treatment plants are required to meet National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit standards. The plant's treated effluent enters a local watercourse that flows into the Pomme de Terre River, a tributary of the Minnesota River. The Minnesota River ultimately joins the Mississippi River, making Benson STP part of a larger watershed that supports diverse aquatic life and agricultural water uses downstream.
Environmental context
Benson STP discharges into a local stream that feeds the Pomme de Terre River, which flows into the Minnesota River. The Minnesota River basin is a major tributary of the Upper Mississippi River, supporting important fish habitats and migratory bird corridors. The region's agricultural landscape means that nutrient management from wastewater is critical to prevent downstream eutrophication in the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico.
Frequently asked questions
Benson STP is located at 2198 Kansas Avenue, Benson, Minnesota, in Swift County. It serves the city of Benson and surrounding areas.
The plant serves approximately 3,213 people, classifying it as a small community wastewater treatment facility.
The plant discharges treated effluent into a local watercourse that flows into the Pomme de Terre River, a tributary of the Minnesota River, which eventually reaches the Mississippi River.
Benson STP operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires NPDES permits for all municipal wastewater discharges. For plants of this size, secondary treatment is typically mandated to protect water quality.
Small municipal plants in the U.S. commonly use secondary treatment processes such as activated sludge or lagoon systems to meet NPDES permit limits for biochemical oxygen demand and total suspended solids.
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