Richland WWTP: Secondary Treatment Plant in Richland, Nebraska

Richland WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Richland, Nebraska, United States. The facility serves a small population of 96 residents, reflecting the rural character of the area. As a secondary treatment plant, it provides biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal wastewater. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, administered by the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy, governs its discharge. The plant's designed capacity is 41.64 units, matching its current discharge volume, indicating full utilization. The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body that ultimately drains into the Platte River basin, a major tributary of the Missouri River. The Platte River supports diverse aquatic life and is an important migratory corridor for birds. The plant's small scale and secondary treatment help protect downstream water quality.

The plant discharges into a local watercourse that flows into the Platte River, a braided river system in the Great Plains. The Platte River is a critical habitat for migratory birds, including sandhill cranes, and supports fish species such as channel catfish. The river eventually joins the Missouri River, which drains into the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. The plant's secondary treatment reduces nutrient and organic loads, helping to maintain the ecological health of this important river system.