McCausland WWTP - Secondary Treatment Plant in McCausland, Iowa

McCausland WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in McCausland, Scott County, Iowa. The facility serves a small population of 308 residents, reflecting its role in a rural community. The plant is situated on White Street and operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Clean Water Act. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by the U.S. EPA for municipal wastewater facilities. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids. The plant has a designed capacity of 113.56 megaliters per year and currently discharges 151.42 megaliters annually, indicating it operates within its capacity. The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body, likely a tributary of the Mississippi River basin, given the plant's location in eastern Iowa. The Mississippi River is a major waterway that drains into the Gulf of Mexico, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems and providing drinking water for millions. The plant's discharge is regulated under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) to protect water quality.

The plant's discharge enters a local stream that flows into the Mississippi River, which ultimately drains into the Gulf of Mexico. The Mississippi River basin is one of the largest in North America, supporting a wide range of aquatic species and serving as a critical migratory corridor for birds and fish. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient loads that could contribute to hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico.