Overview
GLADBROOK WWTP is a secondary treatment plant serving 1,138 people in Tama County, Iowa, United States. It discharges treated wastewater into local waterways, supporting the region's water quality.
GLADBROOK WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Tama County, Iowa, United States. The plant serves a population of 1,138 and operates under secondary treatment standards, which is the typical requirement for small communities under the U.S. Clean Water Act. The facility is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and its operations are regulated by state and federal environmental agencies. The plant has a designed capacity of 401.25 volume units and a current discharge volume of 851.72 volume units, indicating it operates within its capacity. As a secondary treatment plant, it uses biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids, meeting the national effluent guidelines for small agglomerations. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversees such facilities through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, which sets discharge limits to protect water quality. The treated effluent from GLADBROOK WWTP is discharged into local streams that eventually flow into the Iowa River basin, a major tributary of the Mississippi River. This downstream connection highlights the plant's role in protecting the broader aquatic ecosystem, including fish habitats and recreational waters. By maintaining secondary treatment standards, the facility helps reduce nutrient and pollutant loads that could otherwise impact downstream communities and sensitive environments.
Environmental context
GLADBROOK WWTP discharges into local waterways that drain into the Iowa River, a tributary of the Mississippi River. The Mississippi River basin supports diverse aquatic life and provides drinking water for millions. The plant's secondary treatment helps control nutrient pollution, which is critical for preventing algal blooms and maintaining oxygen levels in downstream waters. The region's agricultural landscape also influences runoff, making the plant's role in reducing contaminants important for overall watershed health.
Frequently asked questions
GLADBROOK WWTP is located in Tama County, Iowa, United States, along State Highway 96 in Spring Creek Township.
The plant serves a population of 1,138 people, classifying it as a small community wastewater facility.
The plant discharges treated effluent into local streams that flow into the Iowa River, a tributary of the Mississippi River.
GLADBROOK WWTP provides secondary treatment, which uses biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids, meeting U.S. Clean Water Act standards.
As a U.S. facility, GLADBROOK WWTP operates under the Clean Water Act and is likely permitted through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), which sets discharge limits to protect water quality.
Nearby plants