Cedar Falls WWTP, Cedar Falls

Overview

Cedar Falls WWTP serves approximately 34,298 residents in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the Cedar River watershed, which flows to the Mississippi River.

Cedar Falls WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, serving an estimated population of 34,298. The plant is situated in Black Hawk County and is part of the city's essential infrastructure for managing wastewater from residential and commercial sources. As a US facility, the plant operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting. For a population of this scale, secondary treatment is typically required, with possible additional nutrient removal to protect downstream water quality. The treated effluent from Cedar Falls WWTP is discharged into the Cedar River, a tributary of the Iowa River, which ultimately flows into the Mississippi River. This water body supports diverse aquatic life and is used for recreation and municipal water supply downstream. The plant plays a key role in maintaining water quality in the Cedar River basin.

Environmental context

Cedar Falls WWTP discharges into the Cedar River, which flows southeast to join the Iowa River and then the Mississippi River. The Cedar River watershed supports a variety of fish and wildlife, including species of concern such as the Topeka shiner. The plant's nutrient removal is important to prevent eutrophication in downstream waters, including the Gulf of Mexico, where nutrient pollution contributes to a large hypoxic zone.

Frequently asked questions

Cedar Falls WWTP is located in Cedar Falls, Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States, near the Cedar Valley Lakes Trail.

The plant serves approximately 34,298 residents in the Cedar Falls area.

The treated effluent is discharged into the Cedar River, which flows into the Iowa River and then the Mississippi River.

As a US facility, Cedar Falls WWTP operates under the Clean Water Act and is regulated via an NPDES permit issued by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Plants of this scale typically provide secondary treatment, and may include advanced nutrient removal to meet water quality standards for sensitive receiving waters.