OCONTO WWTP - Secondary Treatment Plant in Custer County, Nebraska

OCONTO WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Custer County, Nebraska, United States. The plant serves a small population of 241 residents, reflecting its role in a rural community. As a secondary treatment plant, it provides biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal wastewater. Its designed capacity of 75.71 units matches the current discharge volume, indicating full utilization. The facility is permitted through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), administered by the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy, ensuring compliance with water quality standards. The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that drain into the Platte River basin, ultimately contributing to the Missouri River system. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and provides water for irrigation and recreation. The plant's inland location reduces direct marine impact, but its discharge affects local streams and groundwater quality.

The plant's discharge enters the Platte River basin, a major tributary of the Missouri River. This watershed supports critical habitat for migratory birds and fish species, including the endangered whooping crane. The region's semi-arid climate makes water quality management essential for maintaining ecosystem health and agricultural water supplies.