Carthage WWTP, Jasper County

Overview

Carthage WWTP serves approximately 17,378 people in Jasper County, Missouri, United States. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act framework, discharging treated wastewater to local waterways.

Carthage WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Jasper County, Missouri, along George Washington Carver Memorial Highway. The plant serves a population of about 17,378, placing it in the medium-agglomeration category under US regulatory standards. As a US facility, Carthage WWTP operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. For a plant of this scale, secondary treatment is typically required, with additional nutrient controls if discharging to sensitive waters. The plant's treated effluent is discharged to local streams that ultimately flow into the Spring River, a tributary of the Arkansas River, which drains to the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is important for regional water quality.

Environmental context

Carthage WWTP discharges to local tributaries of the Spring River, which flows into the Arkansas River and eventually the Mississippi River, reaching the Gulf of Mexico. The receiving waters support aquatic ecosystems including fish and macroinvertebrate communities. Nutrient loading from wastewater can impact downstream water quality, particularly in the Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone.

Frequently asked questions

Carthage WWTP is located on George Washington Carver Memorial Highway in Jasper County, Missouri, United States.

The plant serves approximately 17,378 people, classifying it as a medium-sized municipal wastewater treatment facility.

The plant discharges to local streams that flow into the Spring River, a tributary of the Arkansas River, which ultimately reaches the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico.

As a US facility, Carthage WWTP operates under the Clean Water Act and is required to have an NPDES permit issued by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, typically mandating secondary treatment for plants of this size.

For medium-sized agglomerations like Carthage WWTP, secondary treatment is standard under the Clean Water Act. Some facilities may also incorporate nutrient removal to meet local water quality standards.