Overview
McAllen WWTP 2 serves approximately 70,000 residents in McAllen, Texas. The plant is part of the city's municipal wastewater infrastructure, operating under U. S. EPA and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) regulations.
McAllen WWTP 2 is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in McAllen, Texas, serving an estimated population of 70,000. Situated in Hidalgo County near the U. S. -Mexico border, the plant is part of the region's essential water management infrastructure, handling domestic wastewater from the growing urban area. Under the U. S. Clean Water Act, plants of this scale are typically required to meet secondary treatment standards through National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the TCEQ. The facility's treatment processes are designed to comply with federal and state effluent limits, ensuring that discharged water meets quality standards for the protection of public health and the environment. The plant discharges treated effluent into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the Rio Grande and then to the Gulf of Mexico. The Rio Grande is a critical water source for the region, supporting agriculture, wildlife, and communities. Proper treatment at McAllen WWTP 2 helps protect downstream ecosystems and water quality in this arid border region.
Environmental context
McAllen WWTP 2 discharges into the Rio Grande basin, which flows southeast to the Gulf of Mexico. The Rio Grande is a vital water source for the semi-arid region, supporting diverse aquatic life and migratory bird species. Downstream, the river forms part of the U. S. -Mexico border and empties into the Gulf, where nutrient loading can affect coastal ecosystems. The plant's operations are crucial for maintaining water quality in this transboundary watershed.
Frequently asked questions
McAllen WWTP 2 is located at 866 South 26th Street in McAllen, Texas, within Hidalgo County near the U. S. -Mexico border.
The plant serves approximately 70,000 residents in the McAllen area, making it a medium-sized municipal treatment facility.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the local watershed, which flows into the Rio Grande and eventually to the Gulf of Mexico.
The plant operates under the U. S. Clean Water Act, with NPDES permits issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), requiring secondary treatment and compliance with effluent limits.
Plants of this size in Texas typically employ secondary treatment processes such as activated sludge or trickling filters, followed by disinfection, to meet state and federal water quality standards.
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