Floris Lagoon Wastewater Treatment Plant, Floris, Iowa

Floris Lagoon is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Floris, a small town in Davis County, Iowa, United States. The plant serves a population of approximately 180 residents, reflecting the rural character of the area. It operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. 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 for small communities in the United States. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. The facility has a designed capacity of 75.71 volume units, with a discharge volume matching that figure, indicating full utilization. As a lagoon system, it likely uses stabilization ponds for treatment, a common approach for small populations due to low operational costs. The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that drain into the Mississippi River basin. This region is part of the larger Mississippi River watershed, which supports diverse aquatic life and provides drinking water for millions. The plant's operation helps protect downstream water quality, particularly in the context of agricultural runoff common in Iowa. By treating wastewater to secondary standards, it reduces nutrient loads that could contribute to hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico.

The plant discharges into local streams that flow into the Mississippi River basin, ultimately reaching the Gulf of Mexico. This watershed is ecologically significant, supporting diverse fish and bird species. The region's agricultural landscape means that nutrient management is critical to prevent algal blooms and hypoxia in downstream waters. The plant's secondary treatment helps mitigate these impacts by reducing organic and nutrient loads.