McAlester West WWT, Pittsburg County

Overview

McAlester West WWT serves about 8,891 people in Pittsburg County, Oklahoma. The plant discharges treated wastewater into local waterways under the U.S. Clean Water Act framework.

McAlester West WWT is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Pittsburg County, Oklahoma, serving a population of approximately 8,891 residents. The plant is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and operates within the regulatory framework of the United States Clean Water Act. Under the Clean Water Act, facilities of this scale are typically required to meet secondary treatment standards through National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality. These permits set effluent limits to protect water quality in receiving streams. The treated effluent from McAlester West WWT discharges into local creeks and rivers that ultimately drain into the Arkansas River basin, a major tributary of the Mississippi River. The plant plays a key role in protecting downstream aquatic ecosystems and maintaining water quality in the region.

Environmental context

The plant discharges into local waterways within the Arkansas River basin, which flows into the Mississippi River and eventually the Gulf of Mexico. The surrounding watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is important for regional water quality. The facility's operations help reduce nutrient and pollutant loads that could otherwise impact downstream ecosystems.

Frequently asked questions

McAlester West WWT is located in Pittsburg County, Oklahoma, United States, near the city of McAlester.

The plant serves approximately 8,891 residents in the McAlester area and surrounding Pittsburg County.

The treated wastewater is discharged into local creeks and rivers that flow into the Arkansas River basin, eventually reaching the Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico.

The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, with discharge regulated by an NPDES permit issued by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality.

Facilities of this size in the U.S. typically provide secondary treatment, which includes biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids, meeting EPA standards.