Overview
CLAFLIN WWTP is an advanced treatment facility in Barton County, Kansas, serving 674 people. It discharges treated wastewater into local waterways, supporting the region's water quality.
CLAFLIN WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Barton County, Kansas, United States. The facility serves a population of 674, operating as a small-scale treatment system within the rural landscape of central Kansas. As an advanced treatment plant, it provides a higher level of pollutant removal than conventional secondary treatment, ensuring compliance with stringent water quality standards. The plant has a designed capacity of 295.26 thousand gallons per day and a current discharge volume of 264.98 thousand gallons per day, indicating efficient utilization of its infrastructure. Under the U.S. Clean Water Act, the facility operates under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, which sets limits on effluent quality to protect receiving waters. Advanced treatment typically includes nutrient removal, which is critical for preventing eutrophication in downstream water bodies. The treated effluent from CLAFLIN WWTP is discharged into local streams that drain into the Arkansas River basin, ultimately flowing into the Mississippi River system and the Gulf of Mexico. The plant plays a vital role in safeguarding the ecological health of these waters, particularly in an agricultural region where nutrient runoff is a concern. By employing advanced treatment, the facility helps reduce the nutrient load entering the watershed, supporting aquatic life and downstream water quality.
Environmental context
CLAFLIN WWTP discharges into local tributaries of the Arkansas River, which flows through Kansas and Oklahoma before joining the Mississippi River and emptying into the Gulf of Mexico. The plant's advanced treatment helps mitigate nutrient pollution in a region dominated by agriculture, protecting downstream ecosystems from harmful algal blooms and oxygen depletion. The facility's location in the Great Plains means it operates in a semi-arid climate where water resources are precious, making efficient treatment and discharge management critical for maintaining stream flows and aquatic habitat.
Frequently asked questions
CLAFLIN WWTP is located in Barton County, Kansas, United States, along Kansas State Highway 4. It serves the local community of Claflin and surrounding rural areas.
CLAFLIN WWTP serves a population of 674 people, making it a small-scale municipal wastewater treatment facility.
The plant discharges treated effluent into local streams that are part of the Arkansas River basin. The advanced treatment process ensures that the discharged water meets strict quality standards before entering the watershed.
CLAFLIN WWTP operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. This permit sets effluent limits to protect water quality in the receiving streams.
Small wastewater treatment plants in Kansas often employ advanced treatment to meet state water quality standards, especially in areas sensitive to nutrient pollution. CLAFLIN WWTP uses advanced treatment, which includes nutrient removal to protect downstream ecosystems.
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