Mound Valley WWTP - Secondary Wastewater Treatment in Mound Valley, Kansas

Mound Valley WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located on Gray Road in Mound Valley, Labette County, Kansas. The plant serves a small population of 418 residents, reflecting the rural character of the community. As a secondary treatment plant, it provides biological treatment to remove organic matter and suspended solids from wastewater before discharge. The plant has a designed capacity of 128.70 million gallons per year and currently discharges 117.35 million gallons annually, indicating near-capacity operation. Under the US Clean Water Act, secondary treatment is the minimum standard for municipal plants, and facilities of this scale are typically regulated through EPA NPDES permits issued by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The plant's operational status and permit details are managed by local authorities. The treated effluent is discharged into a local waterway that drains into the Verdigris River basin, eventually reaching the Arkansas River and the Mississippi River system. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and provides water for agricultural and recreational uses downstream. The plant's performance is critical for maintaining water quality in this region of southeastern Kansas.

The plant discharges into a tributary of the Verdigris River, which flows through southeastern Kansas into Oklahoma and joins the Arkansas River. This watershed supports a mix of agricultural land and natural habitats, providing important ecosystem services such as nutrient cycling and flood control. The receiving waters are part of the larger Mississippi River basin, which ultimately drains into the Gulf of Mexico. Protecting local water quality helps sustain aquatic biodiversity and downstream uses including irrigation and recreation.