Cumming Septic Tanks Wastewater Treatment Plant, Cumming, Iowa

Cumming Septic Tanks is a wastewater treatment facility located in Cumming, Iowa, United States. The plant serves a small population of 132 residents, reflecting its role in a rural community within Warren County. It operates under the regulatory framework of the US 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 that removes biodegradable organic matter and suspended solids. Its designed capacity is 75.71 cubic meters per day, and it currently discharges 37.85 cubic meters daily, indicating operational headroom. As a small facility, it is subject to state-level oversight by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body, likely a stream or creek within the Mississippi River basin. The plant's operations help protect downstream water quality in the region, which ultimately drains to the Gulf of Mexico. Proper treatment is essential for maintaining aquatic health in Iowa's agricultural landscape.

The plant discharges into a local watercourse within the Mississippi River basin, which flows south to the Gulf of Mexico. The surrounding area is predominantly agricultural, and the plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient loads that could contribute to downstream eutrophication. The watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is an important part of Iowa's surface water network.