KENSINGTON WWTP - Smith County, Kansas Wastewater Treatment Plant

KENSINGTON WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Smith County, Kansas, United States. It serves a small population of 463 residents, reflecting the rural character of the area. The plant operates under the regulatory framework of the US Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal facilities discharging to surface waters. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard level that removes biodegradable organic matter and suspended solids. Its designed capacity is 208.20 units, and the current discharge volume is 200.63 units, indicating near-capacity operation. As a small facility, it is subject to state-level NPDES permitting administered by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The treated effluent is discharged to a local water body within the Kansas River basin, which ultimately drains to the Missouri River and then the Mississippi River. The plant plays a key role in protecting local streams and groundwater from untreated wastewater, supporting the ecological health of the region's aquatic habitats.

The plant discharges into a water body within the Kansas River watershed, which flows into the Missouri River and then the Mississippi River. This basin supports diverse aquatic life and provides water for agriculture and communities downstream. The secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient and organic pollution, protecting the ecological integrity of the receiving waters.