Overview
HAYS WWTP serves approximately 17,832 residents in Hays, Kansas, as part of the city's municipal wastewater infrastructure. The plant discharges into the local watershed, ultimately draining to the Kansas River basin.
HAYS WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located on Old Highway 40 Bypass in Hays, Ellis County, Kansas. It serves a population of about 17,832, placing it in the medium-agglomeration category for US facilities. The plant is situated inland, far from coastal waters, and operates under the regulatory framework of the US Clean Water Act. As a publicly owned treatment works (POTW) serving a community of this size, HAYS WWTP is subject to EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting requirements. Typical treatment for plants in this population range includes secondary treatment, often with disinfection, to meet water quality standards. The facility's design and operations align with state and federal regulations aimed at protecting receiving waters. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into a local waterway that flows into the Smoky Hill River, part of the Kansas River basin, which ultimately drains to the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and provides water for agricultural and municipal uses downstream. Proper treatment at HAYS WWTP helps maintain water quality in this important regional drainage system.
Environmental context
The treated effluent from HAYS WWTP enters a local stream that flows into the Smoky Hill River, a tributary of the Kansas River. The Kansas River basin drains into the Missouri River and then the Mississippi River, reaching the Gulf of Mexico. This watershed supports diverse aquatic species and is used for irrigation, recreation, and drinking water supply. The plant's discharge must meet state water quality standards to protect downstream ecosystems and human uses.
Frequently asked questions
HAYS WWTP is located on Old Highway 40 Bypass in Hays, Ellis County, Kansas, United States.
HAYS WWTP serves approximately 17,832 residents in the city of Hays and surrounding areas.
The plant discharges treated effluent into a local waterway that flows into the Smoky Hill River, part of the Kansas River basin, ultimately reaching the Gulf of Mexico.
As a US municipal wastewater plant, HAYS WWTP operates under the Clean Water Act and is required to have an EPA NPDES permit issued by the state of Kansas, ensuring compliance with water quality standards.
For medium-sized agglomerations like Hays, typical treatment includes secondary biological treatment followed by disinfection, as mandated by the Clean Water Act to protect receiving waters.
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