Overview
HEMPSTEAD STP serves the community of Hempstead, Texas, treating wastewater from a population of approximately 3,100. The plant discharges into local waterways within the Brazos River basin.
HEMPSTEAD STP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Hempstead, Texas, serving a population of about 3,100 residents. The facility is situated in Waller County and operates under the regulatory framework of the United States Clean Water Act, which governs wastewater discharges through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. As a small-scale treatment plant, Hempstead STP is subject to state and federal regulations that typically require secondary treatment for municipal wastewater. The plant's treatment processes are designed to meet effluent limits that protect the quality of receiving waters. The facility plays a key role in managing local wastewater in this inland Texas community. The treated effluent from Hempstead STP is discharged into a local waterway that ultimately drains into the Brazos River, one of the major river systems in Texas. The Brazos River flows southeast to the Gulf of Mexico, supporting diverse aquatic life and providing water for agricultural and municipal uses downstream. The plant's operations help maintain water quality in this important regional watershed.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into a tributary of the Brazos River, which flows approximately 840 miles through Texas to the Gulf of Mexico. The Brazos River basin supports a variety of fish species and provides critical habitat for migratory birds along the Central Flyway. Downstream waters are used for irrigation, recreation, and municipal supply, making effective wastewater treatment essential for protecting both ecological health and human uses.
Frequently asked questions
HEMPSTEAD STP is located on 23rd Street in Hempstead, Waller County, Texas, United States.
The plant serves a population of approximately 3,100 residents in the Hempstead area.
The treated effluent is discharged into a local waterway that flows into the Brazos River, which ultimately reaches the Gulf of Mexico.
As a US plant, HEMPSTEAD STP operates under the Clean Water Act and is required to have an NPDES permit issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality.
Small municipal plants in Texas typically provide secondary treatment, which includes biological processes to remove organic matter and solids, meeting state and federal standards for discharge into surface waters.
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