DK CO SD 1 WWTP TALMAGE - Secondary Wastewater Treatment in Talmage, Kansas

DK CO SD 1 WWTP TALMAGE is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Talmage, Dickinson County, Kansas. The plant serves a small population of about 100 residents, reflecting its role in a rural community. It operates under the regulatory framework of the United States 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. With a designed capacity of 45.42 m³/day and an average discharge volume of 37.85 m³/day, the facility operates below its capacity. This treatment level is typical for small agglomerations in the U.S., where secondary treatment is the minimum requirement for municipal wastewater. The treated effluent is discharged into local surface waters, likely a nearby creek or river within the Kansas River basin. The plant's location in the Great Plains region means the receiving waters eventually drain to the Mississippi River system, impacting downstream aquatic ecosystems. Proper treatment helps protect water quality in this agriculturally dominated landscape.

The plant discharges into a tributary of the Kansas River, which flows into the Missouri River and ultimately the Mississippi River. The local watershed supports agricultural activities and provides habitat for fish and wildlife. Effective secondary treatment reduces nutrient and organic loading, helping to prevent eutrophication in downstream water bodies and maintaining ecological balance in the region.