Overview
HARPER WWTP is a secondary treatment plant serving 147 people in Keokuk County, Iowa. It discharges 30.28 megaliters of treated wastewater annually, with a designed capacity of 75.71 megaliters.
HARPER WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Keokuk County, Iowa, United States. The plant serves a small population of 147 residents, reflecting its role in a rural community. As a secondary treatment plant, it provides biological treatment to remove organic matter and suspended solids from wastewater. The plant has a designed capacity of 75.71 megaliters and currently discharges 30.28 megaliters of treated effluent annually. Under the U.S. Clean Water Act, facilities of this scale are typically regulated through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality. Secondary treatment is the minimum standard for municipal wastewater plants in the United States. The treated effluent from HARPER WWTP is discharged into local waterways within the Mississippi River basin. The plant's operations help protect downstream aquatic ecosystems and maintain water quality in the region's rivers and streams. Proper treatment is essential for safeguarding public health and the environment in this agricultural area of Iowa.
Environmental context
HARPER WWTP discharges into receiving waters that ultimately flow into the Mississippi River basin, a major drainage system that supports diverse aquatic life and provides drinking water for millions. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient and organic pollutant loads, protecting downstream habitats and recreational uses. Iowa's waterways are sensitive to agricultural runoff, making effective wastewater treatment critical for maintaining ecological balance.
Frequently asked questions
HARPER WWTP is located on 210th Street in Keokuk County, Iowa, United States. It serves the local community of Harper and surrounding rural areas.
HARPER WWTP serves a population of 147 people, making it a small-scale municipal wastewater treatment facility typical of rural Iowa communities.
HARPER WWTP discharges treated effluent into local waterways that drain into the Mississippi River basin. The plant operates under secondary treatment standards to ensure effluent quality.
HARPER WWTP operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires NPDES permits for wastewater discharges. Secondary treatment is the minimum standard for municipal plants, with permits setting specific effluent limits.
For small communities in the U.S., secondary treatment is standard, often using lagoons or activated sludge processes. The EPA provides guidance for small wastewater systems to meet Clean Water Act requirements.
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