HCUA Ansley POTW - Secondary Wastewater Treatment in Ansley, Mississippi

HCUA Ansley POTW is a publicly owned treatment works located in Ansley, Hancock County, Mississippi, near the Gulf of Mexico. The plant is currently in the projected stage and is designed to serve a small population of 450 residents, reflecting its role in a rural coastal community. The facility provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required under the U.S. Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater plants. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids. The plant has a designed capacity of 227.12 m³/day and a current discharge volume of 227.13 m³/day, indicating it is operating near its design capacity. The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that ultimately drain into the Gulf of Mexico. The plant's proximity to the coast (within 10 km) means its discharge can affect sensitive coastal ecosystems, including estuarine habitats that support diverse aquatic life and migratory species. Proper treatment is essential to protect water quality in the Mississippi Sound and adjacent marine environments.

The plant discharges into coastal waters of the Gulf of Mexico via local streams and estuaries. The Mississippi Sound is a productive estuary that supports fisheries, oyster reefs, and migratory birds. As a coastal facility, the plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient and pollutant loads, but the proximity to sensitive marine habitats requires careful management to prevent eutrophication and hypoxia.