Ellsworth WWTP - Municipal Wastewater Treatment in Ellsworth, Kansas

Ellsworth WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Ellsworth, Kansas, serving a population of around 2,905. The plant is situated in the central part of the state, within the Smoky Hill River watershed, which ultimately drains into the Kansas River and then the Missouri River system. As a U.S. facility, Ellsworth WWTP is subject to the Clean Water Act and operates under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. For plants serving populations under 10,000, secondary treatment is typically required, which involves biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids. The treated effluent from Ellsworth WWTP is discharged into a local waterway that feeds into the Smoky Hill River. This river flows eastward through the Great Plains, supporting agricultural irrigation and providing habitat for fish species such as channel catfish and walleye. The plant's operations are important for protecting downstream water quality in the Kansas River basin.

Ellsworth WWTP discharges into a tributary of the Smoky Hill River, which flows into the Kansas River and eventually the Missouri River. The Smoky Hill River watershed is primarily agricultural, with crops like wheat and corn, and the river supports diverse aquatic life. The plant's effluent must meet state water quality standards to protect downstream uses including irrigation and recreation.