Overview
OSSIAN WWTP serves the community of Winneshiek County, Iowa, treating wastewater for approximately 810 residents. The plant discharges into the local watershed, contributing to the Upper Iowa River basin.
OSSIAN WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Military Township, Winneshiek County, Iowa, serving a population of about 810. As a small-scale plant, it plays a vital role in managing local wastewater in this rural area of the Upper Midwest. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal facilities. For small communities like this, lagoon systems or mechanical treatment plants are common, and the plant is likely permitted through the Iowa Department of Natural Resources under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). The treated effluent is discharged into a local waterway that drains into the Upper Iowa River, a tributary of the Mississippi River. This river system supports diverse aquatic life and is important for recreation and agriculture in the region.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into a tributary of the Upper Iowa River, which flows into the Mississippi River and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico. The Upper Iowa River is a coldwater stream that supports trout populations and other sensitive aquatic species. The watershed is predominantly agricultural, so nutrient management from wastewater is important to prevent eutrophication downstream.
Frequently asked questions
OSSIAN WWTP is located in Military Township, Winneshiek County, Iowa, United States.
The plant serves approximately 810 residents in the surrounding community.
The treated effluent is discharged into a local tributary that flows into the Upper Iowa River, part of the Mississippi River basin.
As a U.S. facility, OSSIAN WWTP operates under the Clean Water Act and is likely permitted through the Iowa Department of Natural Resources under the NPDES program, which sets discharge limits for pollutants.
For small communities, common treatment technologies include aerated lagoons, sequencing batch reactors, or extended aeration systems, all designed to meet secondary treatment standards under the Clean Water Act.
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