Overview
The Maxwell WWTP in Maxwell, Iowa, serves a small community of 921 people with secondary treatment. It discharges treated wastewater into local waterways, supporting the region's environmental health.
The Maxwell WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Maxwell, Iowa, United States. It serves a small population of approximately 921 residents, reflecting its role in a rural community. The plant is situated near the Heart of Iowa Nature Trail, within Story County. As a secondary treatment plant, it meets the standard requirements under the US Clean Water Act, which mandates secondary treatment for municipal facilities. The plant has a designed capacity of 1,135.62 cubic meters per day and currently handles a discharge volume of 908.50 cubic meters per day, indicating it operates below its full capacity. The treated effluent is discharged into local water bodies that eventually drain into the Mississippi River basin. This contributes to the protection of downstream aquatic ecosystems, including the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico, by reducing pollutant loads from the community.
Environmental context
The Maxwell WWTP discharges into local streams that are part of the Mississippi River watershed. This basin supports diverse aquatic life and is a critical migratory corridor for birds and fish. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient and organic pollutant loads, mitigating impacts on downstream water quality and the hypoxic zone in the Gulf of Mexico.
Frequently asked questions
The Maxwell WWTP is located in Maxwell, Iowa, United States, near the Heart of Iowa Nature Trail in Story County.
The Maxwell WWTP serves a population of approximately 921 residents.
The plant discharges treated effluent into local streams that are part of the Mississippi River watershed, eventually reaching the Gulf of Mexico.
The Maxwell WWTP provides secondary treatment, which is the standard required by the US Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater facilities.
As a US facility, the Maxwell WWTP operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, ensuring its discharges meet water quality standards.
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