Overview
CUSHING WWT is a municipal wastewater treatment plant in Payne County, Oklahoma, serving approximately 8,371 people. The facility operates under U.S. EPA and Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality regulations.
CUSHING WWT is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Payne County, Oklahoma, serving a population of approximately 8,371. The plant is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and plays a key role in managing wastewater for the local community. As a facility in the United States, CUSHING WWT operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality. For a plant serving around 8,000 people, secondary treatment is typically required, with possible additional nutrient removal depending on the receiving water body's sensitivity. The treated effluent from CUSHING WWT is discharged into a local waterway that ultimately drains into the Arkansas River basin, part of the larger Mississippi River watershed. This downstream connection highlights the plant's role in protecting water quality in a region that supports diverse aquatic life and agricultural activities.
Environmental context
CUSHING WWT discharges into a tributary of the Arkansas River, which flows into the Mississippi River and eventually the Gulf of Mexico. The local watershed supports diverse aquatic habitats and is important for regional biodiversity. Proper treatment helps prevent nutrient pollution that could contribute to hypoxic zones downstream.
Frequently asked questions
CUSHING WWT is located on East Eseco Road in Payne County, Oklahoma, United States.
CUSHING WWT serves approximately 8,371 people in the surrounding community.
The plant discharges treated effluent into a local waterway that is part of the Arkansas River basin, ultimately flowing to the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico.
CUSHING WWT operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act and is regulated by an NPDES permit issued by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, which sets limits on effluent quality to protect receiving waters.
For a plant of this size, secondary treatment is standard under the Clean Water Act, often including biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids. Additional nutrient removal may be required if the receiving water body is sensitive to eutrophication.
Nearby plants