McDonald WWTP - Secondary Wastewater Treatment in McDonald, Kansas

McDonald WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in McDonald, Kansas, a small community in Rawlins County. The plant serves a population of 137 and treats an average daily flow of approximately 60,570 gallons, with a designed capacity of 117,350 gallons per day. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by the US Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater. Under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), the facility must meet effluent limits set by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to protect water quality. The treated effluent is discharged to a local water body, which ultimately drains into the Republican River basin and then the Kansas River system. This watershed supports agricultural irrigation and provides habitat for fish and wildlife. Proper treatment helps prevent nutrient pollution and protects downstream ecosystems.

The plant discharges to a local stream that flows into the Republican River, a tributary of the Kansas River, which eventually reaches the Missouri River and the Mississippi River. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is important for regional agriculture. Effective secondary treatment reduces organic load and nutrients, helping to maintain water quality in this semi-arid region.