BUSHNELL WWTP - Kimball County, Nebraska Wastewater Treatment Plant

BUSHNELL WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Kimball County, Nebraska, serving a small population of around 230 residents. The facility is situated in the rural High Plains region, near the border with Colorado. As a small-scale plant, it plays a key role in managing local wastewater for the community. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by the U.S. Clean Water Act for municipal facilities. Its designed capacity matches the current discharge volume of 75.71 units, indicating the plant operates at full capacity. Under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), plants of this size must meet effluent limits to protect water quality. The treated effluent is discharged into local water bodies that ultimately drain into the South Platte River basin, part of the larger Platte River system. This watershed supports agricultural irrigation and provides habitat for migratory birds and aquatic species. Proper treatment helps maintain water quality in this semi-arid region.

The plant discharges into tributaries of the South Platte River, which flows into the Platte River and eventually the Missouri River and Mississippi River system. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is an important corridor for migratory birds along the Central Flyway. The semi-arid climate makes water quality management critical for downstream agricultural and ecological uses.