Overview
Charter Oak LGN is a secondary wastewater treatment plant serving approximately 500 residents in Charter Oak, Iowa. It discharges 151,420 gallons per day into local waterways.
Charter Oak LGN is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Charter Oak, a small town in Crawford County, Iowa. The plant serves a population of around 500 people, reflecting the rural character of the area. It operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Clean Water Act, which governs wastewater discharges through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard level required for most municipal facilities in the United States. Its designed capacity is 227,120 gallons per day, with an average daily flow of 151,420 gallons, indicating operational headroom. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. The treated effluent is discharged to a local water body, likely a stream or river within the Missouri River basin. The plant plays a key role in protecting downstream water quality and supporting the ecological health of the region's waterways. Its location inland, far from coastal areas, reduces direct marine impact.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into a tributary of the Missouri River, which flows into the Mississippi River and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is part of a larger agricultural landscape. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient loads that could contribute to downstream hypoxia in the Gulf.
Frequently asked questions
Charter Oak LGN is located on 3rd Street South in Charter Oak, Iowa, within Crawford County. It serves the local community of about 500 residents.
The plant has a designed capacity of 227,120 gallons per day and currently treats an average of 151,420 gallons per day, operating below its maximum capacity.
The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body that is part of the Missouri River watershed. The plant uses secondary treatment to reduce pollutants before discharge.
As a U.S. facility, Charter Oak LGN operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to NPDES permit requirements. These permits set limits on discharges to protect water quality.
For small communities, secondary treatment is standard, as required by the Clean Water Act. This level effectively removes organic matter and suspended solids, meeting federal guidelines.
Nearby plants