Gleason STP Wastewater Treatment Plant, Weakley County, Tennessee

Gleason STP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Weakley County, Tennessee, within the West Tennessee region. The facility serves a population of approximately 1,541 residents, classifying it as a small-scale treatment plant under US regulatory frameworks. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the minimum standard required by the US Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater facilities. With a designed capacity of 757.08 thousand gallons per day and an actual discharge volume of 787.37 thousand gallons per day, the plant operates near its design capacity. As a US facility, it is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, ensuring compliance with effluent limits. The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that ultimately drain into the Mississippi River basin. The plant plays a critical role in protecting water quality in the region, supporting downstream aquatic ecosystems and recreational uses. Its location inland, away from coastal areas, reduces direct marine impact but requires careful management of nutrient loads to prevent eutrophication in receiving streams.

Gleason STP discharges into tributaries of the Mississippi River, which flows into the Gulf of Mexico. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce organic pollutants and suspended solids, but nutrient removal may be limited. The downstream Mississippi River basin supports diverse aquatic life and is a major migratory corridor for birds and fish. Excessive nutrient loading from upstream sources contributes to the Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone, making nutrient management important for regional water quality.