BODE STL Wastewater Treatment Plant, Humboldt County, Iowa

BODE STL is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Humboldt County, Iowa, United States. It serves a small community of 632 residents, providing secondary treatment to remove organic matter and suspended solids from domestic wastewater. The plant has a designed capacity of 189.27 cubic meters per day and currently treats an average daily flow of 113.56 cubic meters. As a secondary treatment facility, it meets the standard requirements under the US Clean Water Act, which mandates secondary treatment for municipal plants discharging to surface waters. The facility operates under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The treated effluent is discharged to local streams that drain into the Des Moines River basin, ultimately reaching the Mississippi River. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and provides water for agricultural and recreational uses downstream. Proper treatment helps protect water quality in this predominantly rural region.

The plant discharges into tributaries of the Des Moines River, which flows southeast to join the Mississippi River. This watershed supports a variety of fish and wildlife species, including freshwater mussels and migratory birds. The surrounding area is primarily agricultural, so the plant's nutrient removal helps reduce the risk of algal blooms in downstream waters.