Harvey STP - Marion County, Iowa Wastewater Treatment Plant

Harvey STP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Lake Prairie Township, Marion County, Iowa. The facility serves a small population of 235 residents, reflecting its role in a rural community. As a secondary treatment plant, it provides biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge. The plant has a designed capacity of 75.71 units and a discharge volume of 75.71 units, indicating full utilization. Under the U.S. Clean Water Act, such facilities are required to obtain National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, which set effluent limits to protect water quality. For small plants like Harvey STP, secondary treatment is the standard requirement. The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body within the Mississippi River basin. The plant's location inland, far from coastal areas, reduces direct marine impact. The surrounding watershed supports agricultural and natural habitats, and the plant's compliance with secondary treatment standards helps maintain local water quality.

Harvey STP discharges into a tributary of the Des Moines River, which flows into the Mississippi River and ultimately to the Gulf of Mexico. The plant's secondary treatment reduces pollutants that could otherwise contribute to nutrient loading and hypoxia in the Gulf. The local watershed supports diverse aquatic life and agricultural activities, making proper wastewater treatment essential for ecosystem health.