Overview
OAKS WWT is a secondary treatment plant serving 383 people in Oaks, Oklahoma. It discharges 151.42 volume units and operates under US EPA NPDES regulations.
OAKS WWT is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Oaks, Delaware County, Oklahoma. It serves a small population of 383 residents, reflecting the rural character of the area. The plant is situated in the Ozark Plateau region, known for its forested hills and spring-fed streams. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by the US Clean Water Act for municipal facilities. With a designed capacity of 151.42 volume units and a discharge volume matching that figure, the plant operates at full capacity. As a small facility, it is subject to EPA NPDES permitting, typically administered by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, ensuring compliance with water quality standards. The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that drain into the Illinois River watershed, a tributary of the Arkansas River system. This river network ultimately flows into the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. The plant's discharge contributes to the base flow of nearby streams, supporting aquatic life and recreational uses in the region.
Environmental context
The plant's discharge enters the Illinois River watershed, which flows through the Ozark ecoregion and supports diverse aquatic species including smallmouth bass and freshwater mussels. The Illinois River is a popular destination for canoeing and fishing, and its waters eventually reach the Arkansas River, a major tributary of the Mississippi River. Protecting water quality in this watershed is important for maintaining the ecological health of downstream habitats, including the Mississippi River Delta and the Gulf of Mexico.
Frequently asked questions
OAKS WWT is located in Oaks, Delaware County, Oklahoma, in the United States. The plant serves the small rural community of Oaks.
The plant serves a population of 383 people, typical of a small rural wastewater treatment facility in Oklahoma.
The plant discharges treated effluent into local streams that are part of the Illinois River watershed. The final receiving waters are the Arkansas River, Mississippi River, and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico.
As a US facility, OAKS WWT operates under the Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal plants. It is likely permitted through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), administered by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality.
For small populations like 383, secondary treatment is standard under the Clean Water Act. This involves biological treatment to remove organic matter and suspended solids, ensuring the effluent meets water quality standards before discharge.
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