Gilmore City STL Wastewater Treatment Plant, Gilmore City, Iowa

Gilmore City STL is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Gilmore City, Pocahontas County, Iowa, United States. The plant serves a small population of 504 residents, reflecting the rural character of the community. It operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment as the minimum standard for municipal wastewater facilities. The plant provides secondary treatment, a biological process that removes biodegradable organic matter and suspended solids. With a designed capacity of 378.54 megaliters per year and an annual discharge volume of 340.69 megaliters, the facility operates at approximately 90% capacity, indicating consistent demand. The plant is not located near coastal areas, being situated in the interior of the state. The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that ultimately drain into the Mississippi River Basin. The plant plays a key role in protecting water quality in the region, supporting downstream aquatic ecosystems and ensuring compliance with state and federal water quality standards.

The plant discharges into local streams that are part of the Mississippi River Basin, which flows into the Gulf of Mexico. The watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is an important corridor for migratory fish. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient loading, which is critical for mitigating hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico.