Lone Tree South WWTP - Johnson County, Iowa Wastewater Treatment Plant

Lone Tree South WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Johnson County, Iowa, United States. The facility serves a small population of 657 residents and operates as part of the region's wastewater infrastructure. Its location in southeastern Iowa places it within the Mississippi River basin, a major watershed that drains much of the central United States. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required under the U.S. Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater facilities. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids. The plant's designed capacity is 302.83 million gallons per year, and it currently treats 227.13 million gallons annually, indicating it operates below its full capacity. Treated effluent from the plant is discharged into local waterways that ultimately flow into the Mississippi River. The Mississippi River system supports diverse aquatic life and provides drinking water for millions of people. The plant's operations are regulated under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, which sets limits on pollutant discharges to protect water quality.

The plant discharges into tributaries of the Mississippi River, which flows south to the Gulf of Mexico. The Mississippi River basin is one of the largest in the world, supporting a wide range of aquatic species and providing critical habitat for migratory birds. Downstream, the river contributes to the Gulf of Mexico's hypoxic zone, making nutrient management important for facilities in this watershed.