Overview
Decatur Sanitary District serves approximately 103,859 people in Decatur, Illinois. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act, managing wastewater for this medium-to-large agglomeration.
Decatur Sanitary District is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Decatur, Illinois, serving a population of around 103,859. The plant is situated in the West End area near South Dipper Lane, within Macon County. As a significant infrastructure asset, it handles wastewater from the city and surrounding communities. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal facilities of this scale. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program governs its discharge, ensuring compliance with federal and state water quality standards. Plants serving populations over 100,000 typically employ advanced treatment to meet stringent effluent limits. The treated effluent is discharged into the Sangamon River, which flows through central Illinois and eventually joins the Illinois River, a major tributary of the Mississippi River. This waterway supports diverse aquatic life and provides recreational opportunities. The plant's operations are critical to protecting the local watershed and downstream ecosystems from nutrient pollution and pathogens.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Sangamon River, which flows westward through Illinois to join the Illinois River, a key tributary of the Mississippi River. The watershed supports diverse aquatic species and is used for recreation and agriculture. Protecting water quality in this basin is essential to prevent eutrophication and maintain ecological health downstream in the Mississippi River system.
Frequently asked questions
Decatur Sanitary District is located in Decatur, Illinois, United States, near South Dipper Lane in the West End area of Macon County.
The treated wastewater is discharged into the Sangamon River, which flows into the Illinois River and eventually the Mississippi River.
The plant serves approximately 103,859 people in the Decatur area.
The plant operates under the Clean Water Act, requiring an NPDES permit that sets effluent limits to protect water quality. Facilities of this scale typically need secondary or advanced treatment.
Plants serving around 100,000 people in the US generally employ secondary treatment as a minimum, with many using advanced treatment to meet nutrient removal standards under state and federal regulations.
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