Lucas WWTP - Secondary Wastewater Treatment Plant in Lucas, Kansas

Lucas WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Lucas, Kansas, serving a small population of 436 residents. The plant operates under the regulatory framework of the United States Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal wastewater discharges to surface waters. The plant employs secondary treatment processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge. With a designed capacity of 204.41 units and an average discharge volume of 162.77 units, the facility operates below its capacity, indicating adequate treatment capacity for the community. The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body that eventually drains into the Kansas River basin, contributing to the overall water quality management of the region. The plant plays a role in protecting downstream aquatic ecosystems and maintaining water quality standards in the watershed.

The plant's discharge enters a local stream that flows into the Saline River, a tributary of the Smoky Hill River, which joins the Kansas River and ultimately the Missouri River and Mississippi River system. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is important for regional water resources. The secondary treatment provided by the plant helps reduce nutrient and pollutant loads, protecting downstream habitats.