Overview
BERNE WWTP serves the city of Berne, Indiana, treating wastewater for approximately 4,884 residents. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act framework, with discharge regulated by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.
BERNE WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located on Liechty Road in Berne, Adams County, Indiana. Serving a population of about 4,884, the plant is part of the community's essential infrastructure for managing domestic wastewater from this small Midwestern town. As a U.S. facility, BERNE WWTP operates under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, established by the Clean Water Act. For a plant of this size, secondary treatment is typically required, and permits set limits on biochemical oxygen demand, total suspended solids, and other pollutants to protect water quality. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into a local waterway that ultimately drains into the Wabash River basin, a major tributary of the Ohio River and part of the Mississippi River system. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and provides water for agricultural and recreational uses downstream.
Environmental context
The treated effluent from BERNE WWTP enters a local stream that flows into the Wabash River, a major tributary of the Ohio River. The Wabash River basin supports a variety of fish and wildlife, including several species of freshwater mussels and migratory birds. Downstream, the Ohio River merges with the Mississippi, impacting water quality in the Gulf of Mexico. Proper treatment helps reduce nutrient loading that can contribute to hypoxic zones in the Gulf.
Frequently asked questions
BERNE WWTP is located on Liechty Road in Berne, Adams County, Indiana, United States.
BERNE WWTP serves approximately 4,884 residents in the city of Berne and surrounding areas.
The plant discharges treated effluent into a local waterway that flows into the Wabash River basin, part of the Ohio River and Mississippi River systems.
BERNE WWTP operates under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, which sets limits on pollutants to protect water quality as required by the Clean Water Act.
For a plant of this size, secondary treatment is standard, which includes biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. Permits also often require disinfection and nutrient controls depending on the receiving water body.
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