East Butler County Sewer District Wastewater Treatment Plant, Poplar Bluff, Missouri

East Butler County Sewer District is a wastewater treatment facility located in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, serving a population of approximately 1,400. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard level for small communities in the United States, and operates under the regulatory framework of the US Clean Water Act. The plant has a designed capacity of 681.37 thousand gallons per day and currently discharges 567.81 thousand gallons per day. As a secondary treatment facility, it meets the minimum requirements for municipal wastewater treatment under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, which is administered by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that ultimately drain into the Mississippi River basin. The plant plays a key role in protecting downstream water quality in the region, supporting aquatic life and recreational uses in the receiving waters.

The plant discharges into tributaries of the Black River, which flows into the White River and eventually the Mississippi River. This watershed supports diverse aquatic habitats and is important for regional biodiversity. The secondary treatment process reduces organic pollutants and suspended solids, helping to maintain water quality in downstream ecosystems.