ESSEX WWTP - Advanced Wastewater Treatment in Stoddard County, Missouri

ESSEX WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located on County Road 702 in Stoddard County, Missouri, serving a population of approximately 524 residents. The plant operates under the regulatory framework of the United States Clean Water Act, which requires National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for all discharges to surface waters. The facility employs advanced treatment processes, ensuring a high level of pollutant removal before discharge. With a designed capacity of 219.55 million gallons per day and an actual discharge volume of 246.05 million gallons per day, the plant manages the community's wastewater effectively. The treated effluent is discharged into local streams that drain into the Mississippi River basin, ultimately reaching the Gulf of Mexico. The plant's advanced treatment helps protect downstream water quality and supports aquatic life in the region's waterways.

The plant discharges into local waterways that are part of the Mississippi River watershed, which drains into the Gulf of Mexico. This region supports diverse aquatic ecosystems and is important for migratory birds and fish species. The advanced treatment helps reduce nutrient loading, which is critical for preventing hypoxia in the Gulf.