Highland STP - Municipal Wastewater Treatment in Highland, Illinois

Highland STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located at 12970 Iberg Road in Highland, Madison County, Illinois. Serving a population of about 9,400, the plant is part of the region's infrastructure for managing domestic wastewater from this small urban community. As a U.S. facility, Highland STP operates under the Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal plants. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program governs its discharge, ensuring compliance with water quality standards. For plants of this scale, typical treatment includes biological processes followed by disinfection. The treated effluent is discharged into a local receiving water body, which ultimately flows into the Mississippi River watershed. This drainage basin supports diverse aquatic life and provides water for communities downstream. Proper treatment at Highland STP helps protect water quality in the region's streams and rivers.

The plant's discharge enters a local stream that is part of the Mississippi River basin, one of the largest watersheds in North America. This river system supports a wide range of fish and wildlife, including migratory birds and freshwater mussels. Protecting water quality in this basin is critical for maintaining ecological health and downstream uses such as drinking water and recreation.