Overview
NICHOLS STL is a secondary wastewater treatment plant serving Nichols, Iowa, USA. It treats wastewater for approximately 366 residents with a discharge volume of 113.56 units and a designed capacity of 189.27 units.
NICHOLS STL is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located on State Highway 22 in Nichols, Muscatine County, Iowa. It serves a small population of around 366 residents, reflecting the rural character of the community. The plant is part of the wastewater infrastructure managed under the U.S. Clean Water Act. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for municipal wastewater facilities. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids. The plant's designed capacity is 189.27 units, with an actual discharge volume of 113.56 units, indicating operational headroom. The treated effluent is discharged into a local waterway that ultimately drains into the Mississippi River basin. This region of Iowa is part of the larger Upper Mississippi River watershed, which supports diverse aquatic life and is an important migratory corridor for birds and fish. The plant's operation helps protect downstream water quality in this ecologically significant system.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into a receiving water body within the Mississippi River basin, which flows south to the Gulf of Mexico. This watershed supports a variety of aquatic species, including freshwater mussels and fish, and is an important ecological corridor. The secondary treatment process reduces organic pollutants and suspended solids, helping to maintain water quality in the downstream environment.
Frequently asked questions
NICHOLS STL is located on State Highway 22 in Nichols, Muscatine County, Iowa, United States.
The plant serves approximately 366 residents, reflecting a small rural community.
The plant discharges treated effluent into a local waterway that is part of the Mississippi River basin, ultimately reaching the Gulf of Mexico.
As a U.S. facility, NICHOLS STL operates under the Clean Water Act, with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
For small communities like Nichols, secondary treatment is standard, meeting EPA requirements to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge.
Nearby plants