Overview
Hattiesburg South Lagoon serves Petal, Mississippi, treating wastewater for approximately 58,408 residents. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act framework, discharging treated effluent into local waterways.
Hattiesburg South Lagoon is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Petal, Mississippi, within Forrest County. It serves a population of approximately 58,408 people, classifying it as a medium-sized agglomeration under US EPA guidelines. The plant is situated inland, about 50 kilometers from the Gulf Coast. As a lagoon-based system, the plant provides stabilization pond treatment, which is a common method for smaller communities in the region. Under the US Clean Water Act, such facilities are required to meet National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit limits for biochemical oxygen demand, total suspended solids, and other parameters to protect water quality. The plant's capacity and treatment details are managed by local authorities to ensure compliance. The treated effluent from Hattiesburg South Lagoon discharges into the Leaf River watershed, which flows southward to join the Pascagoula River before emptying into the Gulf of Mexico. This river system supports diverse aquatic life, including fish and mussel species, and is an important ecological corridor in southern Mississippi.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Leaf River, a tributary of the Pascagoula River, which ultimately reaches the Gulf of Mexico. The Pascagoula River basin is one of the last free-flowing river systems in the contiguous United States, supporting a rich diversity of fish, mussels, and migratory birds. Effluent from the plant must meet state and federal water quality standards to protect this ecologically sensitive watershed.
Frequently asked questions
Hattiesburg South Lagoon is located in Petal, Mississippi, on Katrina Drive in Forrest County. It serves the southern part of the Hattiesburg metropolitan area.
The plant serves approximately 58,408 residents, making it a medium-sized municipal wastewater treatment facility in Mississippi.
The plant uses lagoon-based treatment, which involves stabilization ponds. Treated effluent is discharged into the Leaf River watershed, which flows to the Pascagoula River and then to the Gulf of Mexico.
The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act, requiring an NPDES permit issued by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality. This permit sets limits on pollutants to protect water quality in the receiving waters.
For a medium-sized agglomeration like this, secondary treatment is standard, often using activated sludge or lagoon systems. The US Clean Water Act mandates secondary treatment for most municipal plants to reduce organic matter and suspended solids.
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