Overview
Maquoketa WWTP serves approximately 6,100 residents in Maquoketa, Iowa. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the Maquoketa River, part of the Mississippi River basin.
Maquoketa WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Maquoketa, Iowa, along the Maquoketa River Trail. The plant serves a population of about 6,100 people, classifying it as a small to medium agglomeration under U.S. regulatory frameworks. As a facility in the state of Iowa, it operates under the Clean Water Act, with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. These permits set effluent limits to protect water quality in the receiving water body. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the Maquoketa River, which flows into the Mississippi River and ultimately to the Gulf of Mexico. This discharge contributes to the overall nutrient load in the Mississippi River basin, a region of concern for hypoxia in the Gulf. The plant's location in a rural agricultural area means it may face challenges related to nutrient removal and seasonal flow variations.
Environmental context
The Maquoketa River is a tributary of the Mississippi River, draining agricultural lands in eastern Iowa. The river supports diverse aquatic life, including fish and macroinvertebrates, and is part of a larger watershed that contributes to the Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone. Nutrient management at the plant is important for reducing downstream algal blooms and maintaining water quality in the Mississippi River basin.
Frequently asked questions
Maquoketa WWTP is located in Maquoketa, Iowa, along the Maquoketa River Trail in Jackson County.
The plant serves approximately 6,100 residents in the city of Maquoketa and surrounding areas.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the Maquoketa River, which flows into the Mississippi River and eventually to the Gulf of Mexico.
As a U.S. facility, Maquoketa WWTP operates under the Clean Water Act and is regulated by an NPDES permit issued by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
Plants of this size typically provide secondary treatment, which includes biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids. Some may also incorporate nutrient removal to meet local water quality standards.
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