Rio Grande WWTP and Sewers - Advanced Wastewater Treatment in Rio Grande, Ohio

Rio Grande WWTP and Sewers is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Rio Grande, Ohio, serving a population of approximately 2,149 residents. The plant is situated in Raccoon Township, Gallia County, and is part of the state's wastewater infrastructure for small communities. The facility provides advanced treatment, which goes beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients and other pollutants. With a designed capacity of 605.66 thousand gallons per day and an average discharge volume of 503.46 thousand gallons per day, the plant operates under the regulatory framework of the US Clean Water Act, which requires NPDES permits for discharges into surface waters. The treated effluent is discharged into local streams that drain into the Ohio River watershed, ultimately reaching the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. The plant plays a key role in protecting downstream water quality and aquatic habitats in this region of southeastern Ohio.

The plant discharges into tributaries of the Ohio River, which flows into the Mississippi River and then the Gulf of Mexico. The local watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is important for regional biodiversity. The advanced treatment helps reduce nutrient loading, which is critical for preventing eutrophication in downstream water bodies.