Metamora North STP - Secondary Wastewater Treatment in Metamora, Illinois

Metamora North STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Metamora, Illinois, United States. The plant serves a population of 1,501 and operates as a secondary treatment facility, which is the standard level required by the US Clean Water Act for most municipal plants. Its designed capacity is 1,022.06 megaliters, with an annual discharge volume of 454.25 megaliters. As a secondary treatment plant, Metamora North STP uses biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids from wastewater. The plant is regulated under the US Clean Water Act, which requires National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for all discharges into surface waters. These permits set limits on pollutants to protect water quality. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into a local water body, contributing to the overall water quality of the Illinois River basin. The Illinois River flows into the Mississippi River, which ultimately drains into the Gulf of Mexico. Proper treatment at this plant helps reduce nutrient loading and protects downstream aquatic ecosystems.

The plant discharges into a tributary of the Illinois River, which flows into the Mississippi River and eventually the Gulf of Mexico. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is an important migratory corridor for birds and fish. Nutrient pollution from wastewater can contribute to hypoxia in the Gulf, making effective treatment crucial for downstream environmental health.