ELBA WWTP - Advanced Wastewater Treatment in Elba, Nebraska

ELBA WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located at 201 West Market Street in Elba, Howard County, Nebraska. The facility serves a small population of 243 residents, reflecting the rural character of the community. As a plant in the United States, it operates under the Clean Water Act, which requires NPDES permits for discharges to surface waters. The plant provides advanced treatment, which goes beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients and other pollutants. Its designed capacity is 75.71 thousand gallons per day, matching the current discharge volume, indicating full utilization. Advanced treatment typically includes biological nutrient removal or tertiary filtration. The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body, likely a tributary of the Platte River system, which drains into the Missouri River and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico. The plant plays a key role in protecting downstream water quality in the Platte River basin, supporting aquatic life and agricultural water uses.

The plant discharges into a local water body within the Platte River basin, which flows eastward to the Missouri River and then to the Gulf of Mexico. The Platte River is a critical habitat for migratory birds, including sandhill cranes, and supports diverse aquatic species. Advanced treatment helps reduce nutrient loading, which is important for preventing hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico.