New Richland STP | Secondary Wastewater Treatment Plant in Minnesota

New Richland STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in New Richland, Waseca County, Minnesota. The plant serves a population of approximately 1,167 people, reflecting a small community scale typical of rural Midwestern towns. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by the U.S. Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater. With a designed capacity of 378.54 cubic meters per day and an actual discharge volume of 454.25 cubic meters per day, the facility operates under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, administered by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The treated effluent is discharged to local surface waters that ultimately drain into the Mississippi River basin. This connection to the larger watershed underscores the plant's role in protecting downstream water quality, including the Upper Mississippi River ecosystem.

The plant discharges into local streams that flow into the Cannon River, a tributary of the Mississippi River. The Mississippi River downstream supports diverse aquatic life and serves as a critical migratory corridor for fish and birds. Protecting water quality in this watershed is essential for maintaining the ecological health of the Upper Mississippi River system.