Overview
Richland WWTP serves 2,113 people in Pulaski County, Missouri, as part of the state's municipal wastewater infrastructure. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act framework.
Richland WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located on Rose Finch Road in Pulaski County, Missouri. Serving a population of 2,113, it is classified as a small-scale treatment plant within the state's wastewater management system. The plant is situated inland, approximately 50 kilometers from the nearest coast, reflecting its role in a rural or suburban setting. As a US-based facility, Richland WWTP operates under the regulatory framework of the Clean Water Act, administered by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Plants of this size typically require secondary treatment as a minimum standard, with permits issued under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) to control pollutant discharges. The specific treatment processes and capacity details are managed by local operators to meet state and federal requirements. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that ultimately drain into the Missouri River watershed, a major tributary of the Mississippi River system. This downstream connection supports diverse aquatic ecosystems and provides water resources for communities and agriculture in the region. The plant's operations contribute to protecting water quality in the broader Mississippi River basin.
Environmental context
Richland WWTP discharges into local streams that flow into the Missouri River, which joins the Mississippi River before reaching the Gulf of Mexico. This watershed supports a variety of aquatic life, including fish and macroinvertebrates, and is an important corridor for migratory birds. The plant's location in the Ozark Plateau region means the surrounding terrain is characterized by karst geology, which can influence groundwater-surface water interactions and necessitates careful management of nutrient and pathogen discharges to protect downstream ecosystems.
Frequently asked questions
Richland WWTP is located on Rose Finch Road in Pulaski County, Missouri, United States, in the central part of the state.
Richland WWTP serves a population of 2,113 people, classifying it as a small-scale municipal wastewater treatment facility.
The plant discharges treated effluent into local streams that flow into the Missouri River, part of the Mississippi River basin, ultimately reaching the Gulf of Mexico.
Richland WWTP operates under the US Clean Water Act, with permits issued by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).
For small plants serving around 2,100 people in the US, secondary treatment is typically required under the Clean Water Act, often using processes like activated sludge or lagoons to reduce organic matter and solids.
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