Harrison County Utility Authority West Biloxi POTW - Biloxi, Mississippi Wastewater Treatment

The Harrison County Utility Authority West Biloxi POTW is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Biloxi, Mississippi, serving a population of about 41,421. It operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for all discharges into U.S. waters. As a plant serving a medium-sized agglomeration, it is subject to secondary treatment standards and effluent limitations designed to protect water quality. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 million gallons per day, indicating it is sized for the community's needs. plants of this scale employ activated sludge or similar biological treatment to meet secondary treatment requirements. The facility is situated near the coast, within 50 km of the Gulf of Mexico, which influences its discharge permitting and environmental considerations. Treated effluent from the plant is discharged into the Mississippi Sound, a coastal water body that connects to the Gulf of Mexico. This area supports diverse marine life, including fish, shellfish, and migratory birds. The plant's operations are critical for protecting the ecological health of the Sound and maintaining water quality for recreational and commercial uses in the region.

The plant discharges into the Mississippi Sound, a shallow, brackish estuary along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The Sound is part of the larger Gulf of Mexico ecosystem and supports important fisheries, including shrimp, oysters, and finfish. The area is also a critical habitat for migratory waterfowl and sea turtles. Protecting water quality in the Sound is essential for maintaining these ecological resources and the local economy.