Overview
Pecatonica Sewage Treatment Plant serves approximately 2,195 residents in Pecatonica, Illinois. The facility operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which governs wastewater discharge standards for small communities.
The Pecatonica Sewage Treatment Plant is a municipal wastewater facility located at 300 Taylor Street in Pecatonica, Illinois, a small village in Winnebago County. Serving a population of about 2,195, the plant is part of the region's infrastructure for managing domestic wastewater from this rural community. As a U.S. facility, the plant operates under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, established by the Clean Water Act. For small agglomerations like Pecatonica, secondary treatment is typically required to meet effluent limits for biochemical oxygen demand and total suspended solids. The plant's design and operation must comply with state and federal regulations to protect water quality. The treated effluent is discharged into a local waterway that ultimately drains into the Pecatonica River, a tributary of the Rock River. The Rock River flows into the Mississippi River, which empties into the Gulf of Mexico. This downstream connection highlights the plant's role in maintaining water quality within the Mississippi River Basin, supporting aquatic life and recreational uses.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into a tributary of the Pecatonica River, which flows into the Rock River and then the Mississippi River, eventually reaching the Gulf of Mexico. This watershed supports diverse aquatic species and provides habitat for migratory birds. The region's agricultural land use can contribute nutrient runoff, making effective wastewater treatment important for preventing eutrophication downstream.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located at 300 Taylor Street in Pecatonica, Illinois, within Winnebago County in the northern part of the state.
The plant serves approximately 2,195 residents, representing the village of Pecatonica and possibly surrounding areas.
The treated effluent is discharged into a local waterway that flows into the Pecatonica River, a tributary of the Rock River, which ultimately reaches the Mississippi River.
As a U.S. facility, it operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
For small communities, secondary treatment is standard, which removes at least 85% of biochemical oxygen demand and total suspended solids, meeting EPA effluent guidelines.
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