Overview
The Ottawa WWTP serves approximately 18,300 residents in Ottawa, Illinois. It discharges treated wastewater into the Illinois River, a major tributary of the Mississippi River.
The Ottawa Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is a municipal facility serving the city of Ottawa, Illinois, located in LaSalle County. With a population served of about 18,300, it is classified as a medium-sized agglomeration under U.S. regulatory frameworks. As a U.S. facility, the plant operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. These permits set effluent limits to protect water quality in the receiving water body. Plants of this scale typically employ secondary treatment to meet federal standards. The treated effluent is discharged into the Illinois River, which flows southwest to join the Mississippi River near Grafton, Illinois. The Illinois River watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is an important migratory corridor for fish and birds. Downstream, the Mississippi River carries the water to the Gulf of Mexico, making the plant's discharge part of a larger ecological network.
Environmental context
The Ottawa WWTP discharges into the Illinois River, a major tributary of the Mississippi River. The Illinois River basin supports a variety of fish species and provides critical habitat for migratory waterfowl along the Mississippi Flyway. Downstream, the Mississippi River flows into the Gulf of Mexico, where nutrient loading from upstream sources can contribute to hypoxic zones. Effective wastewater treatment at plants like Ottawa helps reduce nutrient and pollutant loads to this sensitive downstream environment.
Frequently asked questions
The Ottawa Wastewater Treatment Plant is located at 100 Pontiac Lane, Ottawa, Illinois, in LaSalle County, United States.
The plant serves approximately 18,300 residents of Ottawa, Illinois.
The treated wastewater is discharged into the Illinois River, which flows into the Mississippi River and eventually reaches the Gulf of Mexico.
The plant operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. These permits set limits on pollutants to protect water quality in the Illinois River.
For a medium-sized agglomeration like Ottawa, secondary treatment is typically required under the Clean Water Act. This involves biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids before discharge.
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