Benton City Sewer System - Secondary Wastewater Treatment in Benton City, Missouri

The Benton City Sewer System is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Benton City, Audrain County, Missouri. It serves a small population of 104 residents, reflecting the rural character of the area. The plant is situated on County Road 716 and operates under the regulatory framework of the United States Clean Water Act. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required for most municipal wastewater in the U.S. under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. With a designed capacity of 75.71 m³/day and an actual discharge volume of 37.85 m³/day, the facility operates well below its capacity, indicating room for future growth or seasonal variations. The treated effluent is discharged into a local waterway, likely a tributary of the Mississippi River basin, which ultimately drains into the Gulf of Mexico. The plant plays a key role in protecting local water quality and downstream ecosystems by reducing organic pollutants and suspended solids before discharge.

The plant discharges into a small stream in the Mississippi River basin, which flows into the Missouri River and eventually the Gulf of Mexico. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is an important migratory corridor for birds. The secondary treatment process helps reduce nutrient loading and protects downstream water quality in this agriculturally intensive region.