Overview
EAST ALTON STP serves approximately 7,169 people in East Alton, Illinois. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which mandates secondary treatment for municipal wastewater facilities.
EAST ALTON STP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in East Alton, Madison County, Illinois, United States. The facility serves a population of about 7,169 residents, classifying it as a small to medium-sized treatment plant within the region. Under the U.S. Clean Water Act, plants of this scale are typically required to meet secondary treatment standards through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting program. The plant's treatment processes and capacity details are not publicly available, but regulatory compliance ensures that effluent quality meets state and federal standards for discharge. The plant discharges treated wastewater into local waterways that ultimately drain into the Mississippi River basin. The Mississippi River is a major ecological corridor supporting diverse aquatic life and providing drinking water for millions. The plant's operations contribute to protecting downstream water quality in this nationally significant watershed.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Mississippi River basin, which drains a vast area of the central United States before reaching the Gulf of Mexico. The Mississippi River supports a rich diversity of fish and migratory birds, and its delta is an ecologically sensitive region. Proper treatment at plants like EAST ALTON STP helps reduce nutrient loading and protect downstream aquatic habitats.
Frequently asked questions
EAST ALTON STP is located in East Alton, Madison County, Illinois, United States. The facility serves the municipal wastewater needs of the local community.
EAST ALTON STP serves approximately 7,169 people, making it a small to medium-sized treatment plant in the region.
The plant discharges treated effluent into local waterways that flow into the Mississippi River basin. The Mississippi River system is the ultimate destination.
EAST ALTON STP operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires municipal wastewater treatment plants to meet secondary treatment standards. The plant is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
For plants serving approximately 7,000 people in the U.S., secondary treatment is standard. This typically involves biological processes such as activated sludge or trickling filters to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge.
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