FARNAM WWTP - Secondary Wastewater Treatment in Farnam, Nebraska

FARNAM WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Farnam, Nebraska, a small community in Dawson County. The plant serves a population of 223 residents, reflecting its role in managing domestic wastewater for a rural agglomeration. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required under the US Clean Water Act for municipal facilities. With a designed capacity of 105.99 units and an average discharge volume of 83.28 units, the plant operates within its capacity. As a US facility, it is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality. The treated effluent is discharged into a local waterway, ultimately contributing to the Platte River basin. This region supports agricultural activities and diverse aquatic habitats, making proper wastewater treatment essential for maintaining downstream water quality and ecosystem health.

The plant discharges into a tributary of the Platte River system, which flows eastward through Nebraska and into the Missouri River. The Platte River basin is a critical migratory corridor for sandhill cranes and supports diverse fish and wildlife. Proper treatment helps protect these downstream ecosystems from nutrient pollution and pathogens.