Pomme de Terre Hermitage Area Wastewater Treatment Plant, Hickory County, Missouri

The Pomme de Terre Hermitage Area wastewater treatment plant is located in Hickory County, Missouri, United States. It serves a small population of 150 residents, reflecting its role as a local facility for a rural community. The plant is situated near the Pomme de Terre River, a tributary of the Osage River, which ultimately flows into the Missouri River and then the Mississippi River. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required under the U.S. Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater facilities. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids. The plant has a designed capacity of 102.21 million gallons per year and currently discharges 56.78 million gallons annually, indicating it operates below its full capacity. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which drains into the Pomme de Terre River. This river supports diverse aquatic life and is part of the larger Osage River basin. The plant's operations are subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, ensuring compliance with water quality standards to protect downstream ecosystems.

The plant discharges into the Pomme de Terre River, which flows into the Osage River, then the Missouri River, and ultimately the Mississippi River. This watershed supports a variety of fish and wildlife, including species that rely on clean water for spawning and habitat. The area is characterized by rural and agricultural land use, and the plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient and pollutant loads to protect downstream water quality.