FCPWSD 3 Tara Place Subdivision Wastewater Treatment Plant, Franklin County, Missouri

FCPWSD 3 Tara Place Subdivision is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Franklin County, Missouri, United States. The plant serves a small population of 156 residents, reflecting its role in a suburban or rural subdivision setting. It operates under the regulatory framework of the US Clean Water Act, which governs wastewater discharges through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard level that removes biodegradable organic matter and suspended solids. With a designed capacity of 75.71 units and an actual discharge volume of 60.57 units, the facility operates below its maximum capacity, indicating adequate headroom for current demand. As a small-scale plant, it is subject to state-level oversight by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, which issues permits and ensures compliance with water quality standards. The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body within the Mississippi River basin. The plant's location inland, over 50 km from the coast, means its discharge contributes to freshwater systems rather than marine environments. The downstream waters support aquatic life and are part of a larger watershed that ultimately drains to the Gulf of Mexico, highlighting the importance of effective treatment to protect regional water quality.

The plant discharges into a receiving water body within the Mississippi River basin, which drains into the Gulf of Mexico. This watershed supports diverse aquatic ecosystems and is a critical migratory corridor for fish and birds. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient loads that could contribute to downstream eutrophication, particularly in the Gulf's hypoxic zone.