Benton WWTP - Secondary Wastewater Treatment in Benton, Kansas

Benton WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Benton, Kansas, serving a small population of around 787 residents. The plant is situated in Butler County and operates as part of the local infrastructure to manage domestic wastewater from the community. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by the US Clean Water Act for municipal facilities of this scale. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. The plant has a designed capacity of 492.10 volume units, matching the current discharge volume, indicating it operates at full capacity. Treated effluent from the plant is discharged into nearby waterways, which ultimately drain into the Arkansas River basin. The Arkansas River flows through Kansas and Oklahoma before joining the Mississippi River system. The plant plays a key role in protecting local water quality and downstream ecosystems in this agriculturally important region.

The plant discharges into local streams that are part of the Arkansas River watershed. The Arkansas River flows through the Great Plains, supporting agricultural irrigation and wildlife habitats. Downstream, the river joins the Mississippi River, contributing to one of the largest river systems in North America. The region's aquatic life includes species such as catfish and bass, and the plant's treatment helps maintain water quality for these ecosystems.