Fernwood Water and Sewerage Association Wastewater Treatment Plant, Fernwood, Mississippi

Fernwood Water and Sewerage Association is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Fernwood, Pike County, Mississippi. Serving a small population of 184 residents, the plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by the US Clean Water Act for most domestic wastewater facilities in the United States. The plant has a designed capacity of 151.42 units and currently discharges 75.71 units of treated effluent daily. As a small-scale facility, it operates under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality. The plant's treatment process meets the secondary treatment standards defined by the EPA, ensuring removal of organic matter and suspended solids. The treated wastewater is discharged into local waterways that drain into the Mississippi River basin. The plant's location in southern Mississippi places it within a region of humid subtropical climate, where water resources support diverse aquatic ecosystems. Proper treatment is essential to prevent nutrient pollution and protect downstream habitats in the Gulf of Mexico watershed.

The plant discharges into local streams that are part of the Mississippi River basin, ultimately flowing into the Gulf of Mexico. This watershed supports a variety of aquatic life, including fish and invertebrates, and is an important migratory corridor for birds. The region's warm climate and seasonal rainfall make nutrient management critical to avoid algal blooms in downstream waters.