HUDSON WWTP - Stafford County, Kansas Wastewater Treatment Plant

HUDSON WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Stafford County, Kansas, United States. It serves a small population of 215 residents, reflecting its role in a rural community. The plant is situated in the central part of the state, an area characterized by agricultural land and a semi-arid climate. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by the U.S. Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids. The plant's designed capacity is 75.71 million gallons per year, and it currently discharges 49.21 million gallons annually, indicating it operates below its full capacity. The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that ultimately drain into the Arkansas River basin. The Arkansas River flows southeast through Kansas and into Oklahoma, eventually reaching the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. The plant's operations help protect local streams and groundwater from untreated sewage, supporting agricultural and ecological health in the region.

The plant's discharge enters the Arkansas River watershed, which drains a large portion of central Kansas. The Arkansas River is a vital water source for irrigation and wildlife in the semi-arid region. Downstream, the river flows into the Mississippi River system, ultimately reaching the Gulf of Mexico. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient and organic loads, mitigating potential impacts on downstream aquatic ecosystems.