Farnhamville STL Wastewater Treatment Plant, Iowa | Secondary Treatment

Farnhamville STL is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Farnhamville, Calhoun County, Iowa. It serves a small population of 370 residents, reflecting the rural character of the community. The plant is situated on Commercial Street and provides essential sanitation services to the local area. The plant employs secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by the US Clean Water Act for municipal facilities. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids. The plant has a designed capacity of 208.20 units and a discharge volume of 208.20 units, indicating it operates at full capacity. As a small facility, it is likely subject to state-level NPDES permitting through the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that drain into the North Raccoon River watershed, which flows into the Des Moines River and ultimately the Mississippi River. The plant plays a key role in protecting water quality in this agricultural region, preventing untreated waste from impacting downstream ecosystems and drinking water sources.

The plant discharges into the North Raccoon River watershed, a tributary of the Des Moines River, which flows into the Mississippi River. This region is predominantly agricultural, and the plant helps mitigate nutrient loading that could contribute to hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico. The local watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is important for regional water quality.