MT VERNON WWTP, Mount Vernon

Overview

MT VERNON WWTP and Collection System serves Mount Vernon, Illinois, treating wastewater for approximately 16,269 residents. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act framework with NPDES permitting.

The MT VERNON WWTP and Collection System is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Mount Vernon, Illinois, serving a population of about 16,269. Situated in Jefferson County, the plant is part of the region's essential water infrastructure, managing domestic wastewater from the community. As a medium-sized agglomeration, the plant is expected to meet secondary treatment standards under the US Clean Water Act, administered through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency oversees permitting and compliance for facilities of this scale, ensuring treated effluent meets water quality standards before discharge. The plant discharges into local waterways that ultimately drain into the Mississippi River basin. The receiving waters support aquatic life and are part of a larger watershed that includes the Big Muddy River and other tributaries. Proper treatment helps protect downstream ecosystems and recreational uses.

Environmental context

The plant's treated effluent flows into local streams within the Mississippi River basin, eventually reaching the Gulf of Mexico. The watershed supports diverse aquatic species and is used for recreation and agriculture. Maintaining treatment standards helps reduce nutrient loading and protects downstream water quality in this ecologically significant river system.

Frequently asked questions

The plant is located in Mount Vernon, Jefferson County, Illinois, United States, near the Jefferson County Animal Shelter on Perkins Avenue.

The plant serves approximately 16,269 residents in the Mount Vernon area.

The plant discharges treated effluent into local waterways within the Mississippi River basin, which ultimately flows to the Gulf of Mexico.

The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act, with NPDES permits issued by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, requiring secondary treatment and compliance with water quality standards.

Plants of this scale typically employ secondary treatment processes such as activated sludge or trickling filters, followed by disinfection, to meet NPDES permit limits for BOD, TSS, and other pollutants.