Overview
Benton New WWTP is a projected wastewater treatment plant in Franklin County, Illinois, serving approximately 7,623 people. It will operate under US EPA and state regulations for municipal wastewater.
Benton New WWTP is a planned wastewater treatment facility located in Franklin County, Illinois, United States. The plant is designed to serve a population of around 7,623 residents, positioning it as a small-to-medium agglomeration under US classification standards. As a projected facility, it represents future infrastructure development for the region. Once operational, the plant will be subject to the US Clean Water Act and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting, administered by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. For communities of this scale, secondary treatment is typically required as the minimum standard, with additional nutrient removal if discharging into sensitive waters. The plant's treatment process and capacity details will be finalized during construction. The facility's discharge will likely enter local waterways within the Mississippi River basin, ultimately draining to the Gulf of Mexico. The region's aquatic ecosystems include streams supporting diverse fish and macroinvertebrate communities. Proper treatment will help protect downstream water quality and reduce nutrient loading to the Mississippi River system.
Environmental context
The plant will discharge into local tributaries of the Mississippi River basin, which flows through the central United States to the Gulf of Mexico. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life including freshwater mussels and migratory fish. Nutrient management is critical to mitigate hypoxia in the Gulf, making effective treatment essential for downstream ecosystem health.
Frequently asked questions
Benton New WWTP is located in Franklin County, Illinois, United States, near Grove Road.
The plant is designed to serve approximately 7,623 people, classifying it as a small-to-medium agglomeration.
The plant will discharge treated effluent into local waterways within the Mississippi River basin, ultimately reaching the Gulf of Mexico.
As a US facility, it will operate under the Clean Water Act and require an NPDES permit from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, mandating secondary treatment as a minimum.
For communities of this size, secondary treatment (biological treatment) is standard, often with disinfection. Additional nutrient removal may be required if discharging to sensitive waters.
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