Black Rock WWTP - Advanced Wastewater Treatment in Black Rock, Arkansas

Black Rock WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Black Rock, Lawrence County, Arkansas. The facility serves a small population of 662 residents and operates under the regulatory framework of the United States Clean Water Act, which requires National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for all discharges into surface waters. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients and other pollutants. With a designed capacity of 624.59 million gallons and an annual discharge volume of 196.84 million gallons, the plant operates well below its capacity, indicating room for future growth or seasonal variability. The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body that ultimately drains into the Mississippi River Basin. The plant's location inland, away from coastal areas, reduces direct marine impact. The advanced treatment level helps protect downstream aquatic ecosystems and supports water quality in the region.

The plant discharges into a receiving water body that flows into the Mississippi River Basin, one of the largest drainage systems in North America. The Mississippi River supports diverse aquatic life and provides habitat for numerous fish and migratory bird species. Advanced treatment at this plant helps reduce nutrient loading, which is critical for preventing hypoxic zones in the Gulf of Mexico.