Overview
Charleston WWTP serves the city of Charleston, Arkansas, with a population of 2,494. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act framework.
Charleston WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Charleston, Arkansas, within Franklin County. It serves a population of approximately 2,494 residents, typical of a small community in the Arkansas River Valley region. The plant is situated inland, away from coastal influences, and its operations are governed by state and federal regulations. As a small-scale facility, Charleston WWTP is subject to the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment as a baseline standard for municipal wastewater plants. Plants of this size commonly employ biological treatment methods such as activated sludge or lagoon systems to meet permit requirements. Its population served suggests a moderate flow. The plant discharges treated effluent into local waterways that ultimately drain into the Arkansas River, a major tributary of the Mississippi River. The receiving water body supports aquatic life and is used for recreation and agriculture downstream. Proper treatment is essential to protect water quality in this ecologically important river system.
Environmental context
The treated effluent from Charleston WWTP flows into nearby creeks and streams that are part of the Arkansas River watershed. The Arkansas River eventually joins the Mississippi River, which empties into the Gulf of Mexico. This downstream chain supports diverse aquatic habitats, including fish spawning grounds and migratory bird corridors. Maintaining nutrient and pathogen removal is critical to prevent eutrophication and protect downstream ecosystems.
Frequently asked questions
Charleston WWTP is located on Guy Fenter Drive in Charleston, Franklin County, Arkansas, United States.
The plant serves a population of 2,494 residents, typical of a small community in the Arkansas River Valley.
The plant discharges treated effluent into local waterways that drain into the Arkansas River, a major tributary of the Mississippi River.
As a U.S. municipal wastewater plant, Charleston WWTP operates under the Clean Water Act, which mandates secondary treatment and requires National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality.
For small communities in Arkansas, common treatment technologies include aerated lagoons, activated sludge, or sequencing batch reactors, designed to meet secondary treatment standards under the Clean Water Act.
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