Highland WWTP - Advanced Wastewater Treatment in Highland, Arkansas

Highland WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Highland, Sharp County, Arkansas. The facility serves a small population of 848 residents and is situated inland, away from coastal areas. It is part of the regional wastewater infrastructure managed under state and federal oversight. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients and other pollutants. With a designed capacity of 567.81 million gallons per year and an actual discharge volume of 246.05 million gallons per year, the plant operates well within its capacity. As a U.S. facility, it is subject to the Clean Water Act and must comply with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment. The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that ultimately drain into the Mississippi River basin. The plant's advanced treatment helps protect downstream aquatic ecosystems and supports water quality in the region. Its inland location reduces direct marine impact, but its discharge contributes to the overall health of the watershed.

Highland WWTP discharges into local streams that flow into the Spring River, a tributary of the Black River, which eventually joins the White River and empties into the Mississippi River. The watershed supports diverse aquatic life, including fish and macroinvertebrates, and provides habitat for migratory birds. Advanced treatment at the plant helps minimize nutrient loading, which is critical for preventing eutrophication in downstream water bodies.