Elmhurst WWTP and Collection System - Elmhurst, Illinois Wastewater Treatment

The Elmhurst WWTP and Collection System is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Elmhurst, DuPage County, Illinois. It serves a population of about 44,121 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under US EPA guidelines. The plant is part of the region's infrastructure for managing domestic and industrial wastewater. As a US facility, the plant operates under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality. Plants of this scale typically employ secondary treatment as a minimum, with possible advanced treatment depending on local requirements. The designed capacity is 1.00 million gallons per day, indicating the plant's scale. The plant discharges treated effluent into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Mississippi River basin. This water body supports diverse aquatic life and is used for recreation and drinking water downstream. The plant's operations are critical for maintaining water quality in the region's streams and rivers.

The plant discharges into the local watershed, part of the Mississippi River basin, which flows into the Gulf of Mexico. This downstream environment supports diverse aquatic species and is ecologically sensitive to nutrient loading. The plant's effluent management helps protect water quality in receiving streams and contributes to the health of the larger river system.