Overview
HOWARD WWTP is a secondary treatment plant serving 786 people in Elk County, Kansas, United States. It discharges 302.83 ML/year of treated wastewater into local waterways.
HOWARD WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Elk County, Kansas, United States. The plant serves a small population of 786 residents, providing secondary treatment to meet state and federal water quality standards. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal wastewater. With a designed capacity of 499.67 ML/year and an actual discharge volume of 302.83 ML/year, the facility has operational headroom. As a small agglomeration, it is subject to EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting, ensuring compliance with effluent limits. The treated effluent is discharged into local streams that drain into the Verdigris River basin, ultimately contributing to the Arkansas River system. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and provides water for agricultural and recreational uses downstream.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into tributaries of the Verdigris River, which flows into the Arkansas River and eventually reaches the Mississippi River. This watershed supports a variety of fish and wildlife species, including migratory birds. The region's semi-arid climate makes water quality management critical for maintaining ecosystem health and downstream water supplies.
Frequently asked questions
HOWARD WWTP is located on KS 99 in Elk County, Kansas, United States. It serves the local community of approximately 786 residents.
The plant has a designed capacity of 499.67 ML/year and currently discharges 302.83 ML/year of treated wastewater, indicating available capacity for future growth.
The plant provides secondary treatment before discharging effluent into local streams that flow into the Verdigris River basin, part of the larger Arkansas River watershed.
As a municipal wastewater plant in the United States, HOWARD WWTP operates under the Clean Water Act and is regulated by an EPA NPDES permit, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality.
For small communities in the U.S., secondary treatment is standard, often using activated sludge or lagoon systems. Plants must comply with NPDES permits that specify discharge limits based on the receiving water body.
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