Overview
Faribault WWTP serves approximately 23,859 residents in Faribault, Minnesota. The facility operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, with NPDES permits regulating its discharge to protect local water quality.
Faribault WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Faribault, Minnesota, serving a population of about 23,859. The plant is situated in Rice County and is part of the city's infrastructure for managing domestic and industrial wastewater. As a medium-sized agglomeration, the plant is subject to the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment as a minimum standard. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program governs its discharge, ensuring compliance with water quality standards. The facility's treatment processes and capacity are designed to meet these regulatory requirements. The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body that ultimately drains into the Mississippi River basin. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and provides water resources for downstream communities. The plant's operations play a key role in maintaining the ecological health of the region's rivers and streams.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into a tributary of the Cannon River, which flows into the Mississippi River. This watershed supports a variety of fish and macroinvertebrate species and is an important corridor for migratory birds. The Mississippi River downstream carries the flow to the Gulf of Mexico, where nutrient loading from upstream sources can contribute to hypoxic zones.
Frequently asked questions
Faribault WWTP is located at 14th Street Northeast in Faribault, Rice County, Minnesota, United States.
The plant serves approximately 23,859 residents in the city of Faribault and surrounding areas.
The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body that flows into the Cannon River, part of the Mississippi River basin.
The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, with discharge regulated by a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
Under the Clean Water Act, municipal plants of this size are required to provide at least secondary treatment, which typically involves biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids.
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