Macbride Sanitary Sewer District - Johnson County, Iowa Wastewater Treatment

Macbride Sanitary Sewer District is a wastewater treatment facility located in Johnson County, Iowa, serving a population of approximately 2,837 residents. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard level for smaller communities in the United States, ensuring that effluent meets basic quality standards before discharge. The plant has a designed capacity of 2,574.07 thousand gallons per day and currently treats an average of 946.35 thousand gallons per day. As a facility in the United States, it operates under the Clean Water Act, with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, which set limits on effluent quality to protect receiving waters. The treated wastewater is discharged into local waterways that drain into the Iowa River basin, ultimately reaching the Mississippi River. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and provides water for agricultural and recreational uses downstream. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient loads and organic pollutants, contributing to the ecological health of the region.

The plant discharges into tributaries of the Iowa River, which flows into the Mississippi River. The downstream environment includes agricultural lands and wetlands that benefit from nutrient reduction. The watershed supports fish populations and migratory birds, making effective wastewater treatment important for maintaining water quality and ecosystem balance.