CLEMONS STL Wastewater Treatment Plant, Marshall County, Iowa

CLEMONS STL is a wastewater treatment plant located in Minerva Township, Marshall County, Iowa, United States. The plant serves a small population of 173 residents, reflecting its role in a rural community. As a secondary treatment facility, it provides biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge. The plant's designed capacity is 113.56 volume units, with a corresponding discharge volume, indicating it operates at full capacity. In the United States, wastewater treatment plants of this scale are regulated under the Clean Water Act, with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. These permits set effluent limits to protect water quality. The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways, likely tributaries of the Iowa River or the Mississippi River basin. The plant's location inland, far from the coast, means its discharge contributes to freshwater ecosystems. Proper treatment helps maintain water quality for downstream communities and aquatic life in the region.

The plant discharges into local streams within the Mississippi River basin, which ultimately drains into the Gulf of Mexico. The watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is part of a larger agricultural landscape. Effective secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient loading, which is critical for preventing downstream hypoxia in the Gulf.