Overview
Bissell Point WWTP serves Saint Louis, Missouri, treating wastewater for over 550,000 residents. The plant discharges into the Mississippi River system, a major waterway draining into the Gulf of Mexico.
Bissell Point WWTP is a major wastewater treatment facility located in Saint Louis, Missouri, along the Mississippi River. It serves a population of approximately 559,471, making it one of the larger treatment plants in the state. The plant is situated in the Near North Riverfront area, reflecting its role in managing urban wastewater for a significant portion of the Saint Louis metropolitan area. As a large-scale facility, Bissell Point WWTP operates under the U. S. Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment as a minimum standard for municipal wastewater plants. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program governs its discharge, ensuring compliance with water quality standards. Given the population served, the plant likely incorporates advanced treatment processes to meet regulatory requirements and protect the receiving water body. The treated effluent from Bissell Point WWTP is discharged into the Mississippi River, a major river system that flows south to the Gulf of Mexico. This discharge contributes to the overall water quality of the Mississippi, which supports diverse aquatic life and serves as a critical water resource for communities downstream. The plant's operations are essential for maintaining the ecological health of the river and preventing nutrient pollution that could contribute to the Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone.
Environmental context
Bissell Point WWTP discharges into the Mississippi River, which flows through the central United States and empties into the Gulf of Mexico. The Mississippi River basin is one of the largest in North America, supporting a wide range of aquatic species and providing habitat for migratory birds. The plant's discharge must meet strict water quality standards to minimize impacts on downstream ecosystems, including the prevention of excessive nutrient loading that can lead to algal blooms and hypoxia in the Gulf.
Frequently asked questions
Bissell Point WWTP is located on Ferry Street in the Near North Riverfront area of Saint Louis, Missouri, United States.
Bissell Point WWTP serves approximately 559,471 residents, making it a large-scale municipal wastewater treatment facility.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the Mississippi River, which flows south to the Gulf of Mexico.
Bissell Point WWTP operates under the U. S. Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, which set limits on pollutant discharges to protect water quality.
For large agglomerations like Bissell Point WWTP, secondary treatment is the minimum standard under the Clean Water Act, but many such plants employ advanced treatment to meet stringent permit limits and protect sensitive receiving waters like the Mississippi River.
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