Overview
Elk City Main WWT serves approximately 9,510 residents in Elk City, Oklahoma. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act framework, with NPDES permitting through the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality.
Elk City Main WWT is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Elk City, Beckham County, Oklahoma, serving a population of about 9,510. The plant is situated in the Great Plains region, an area characterized by a semi-arid climate and agricultural land use. As a US facility serving a small to medium agglomeration, Elk City Main WWT is subject to the Clean Water Act and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting. The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality oversees compliance, typically requiring secondary treatment for municipal plants of this scale. Effluent standards are set to protect water quality in the receiving water body. The plant's treated effluent discharges into a local watercourse that ultimately drains into the Washita River basin, part of the larger Red River watershed that flows into the Gulf of Mexico. The Washita River supports diverse aquatic life and is an important water resource for the region, including agricultural irrigation and wildlife habitat.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into a tributary of the Washita River, which flows southeast through Oklahoma into the Red River and eventually the Gulf of Mexico. The Washita River basin supports a variety of fish and wildlife, including several species of freshwater mussels and migratory birds. The region's semi-arid climate means that maintaining water quality in these streams is critical for both ecological health and downstream water users.
Frequently asked questions
Elk City Main WWT is located in Elk City, Beckham County, Oklahoma, United States.
The plant serves approximately 9,510 residents in the Elk City area.
The plant discharges treated effluent into a local watercourse that flows into the Washita River basin, part of the Red River watershed.
The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act and is regulated through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), with oversight by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality.
For municipal plants of this scale, secondary treatment is typically required under the Clean Water Act, which includes biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids.
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