Overview
Hancock Co Utility Auth WEST POTW in Waveland, Mississippi, provides advanced treatment for 1,332 residents. The plant discharges 605.67 thousand cubic meters annually into the Gulf of Mexico coastal zone.
The Hancock County Utility Authority West POTW serves the community of Waveland, Mississippi, located in Hancock County along the Gulf Coast. This advanced treatment facility handles wastewater from approximately 1,332 residents, with a designed capacity of 757.08 thousand cubic meters per year and an annual discharge volume of 605.67 thousand cubic meters. As an advanced treatment plant, it goes beyond secondary treatment standards, likely incorporating nutrient removal or disinfection processes. Under the U.S. Clean Water Act, such facilities operate under National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, which set strict effluent limits to protect coastal waters. The plant's treated effluent discharges into the Gulf of Mexico via local drainage, contributing to the ecological health of the Mississippi Sound and adjacent marine habitats. The Gulf Coast supports diverse aquatic life, including fisheries and migratory birds, making advanced treatment critical for minimizing nutrient loading and protecting water quality in this sensitive coastal ecosystem.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Gulf of Mexico via coastal drainage in Hancock County, Mississippi. The Mississippi Sound and adjacent Gulf waters support important fisheries, oyster reefs, and migratory bird habitats. Advanced treatment helps reduce nutrient pollution that can cause algal blooms and hypoxic zones in this ecologically productive coastal region.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located at 499 Gulfside Street in Waveland, Hancock County, Mississippi, United States, along the Gulf Coast.
The plant serves approximately 1,332 residents in the Waveland area, making it a small-scale municipal wastewater treatment facility.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the Gulf of Mexico via local coastal drainage, with an annual discharge volume of 605.67 thousand cubic meters.
The plant provides advanced treatment, which goes beyond secondary treatment to remove additional nutrients and contaminants, protecting the sensitive Gulf Coast ecosystem.
The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, requiring an NPDES permit issued by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality. Advanced treatment is typical for coastal plants to meet stringent water quality standards.
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