Drakesville WWTP - Secondary Treatment Plant in Davis County, Iowa

Drakesville WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Davis County, Iowa, United States. The plant serves a small population of 172 residents, reflecting its role in a rural community. As a secondary treatment plant, it provides biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge. The plant's designed capacity is 64.35 volume units, matching its current discharge volume, indicating it operates at full capacity. Under the U.S. Clean Water Act, facilities of this scale are typically regulated through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality. Secondary treatment is the minimum standard for municipal wastewater plants in the United States. The treated effluent from Drakesville WWTP is discharged into local streams that are part of the Mississippi River basin. These waterways support aquatic life and are used for recreation and agriculture downstream. The plant's operation helps maintain water quality in the region, preventing nutrient pollution and protecting downstream ecosystems.

The plant discharges into local tributaries of the Mississippi River, which flows into the Gulf of Mexico. The watershed supports diverse aquatic habitats and is part of a larger agricultural region where nutrient management is critical to prevent hypoxia in the Gulf. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce organic and nutrient loads, contributing to the health of downstream water bodies.