RISCO WWTP - Secondary Treatment Plant in Risco, Missouri

RISCO WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Risco, Missouri, United States. The plant serves a small population of 514 residents in New Madrid County, operating as part of the region's water infrastructure. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard biological process that removes organic matter and suspended solids. With a designed capacity of 340.69 cubic meters per day and a current discharge volume of 189.27 cubic meters per day, the facility operates well within its capacity. As a US plant, it operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality. The plant discharges treated wastewater into local waterways that ultimately drain into the Mississippi River basin. This connection to the Mississippi River system means the plant's discharge contributes to the overall water quality of a major river that supports diverse aquatic life and provides drinking water for millions downstream.

The plant's treated effluent flows into local streams and ditches that are part of the Mississippi River watershed. The Mississippi River is a major ecological corridor supporting fish, migratory birds, and other wildlife. The region's agricultural landscape means that nutrient management is a key concern, as excess nitrogen and phosphorus can contribute to hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce organic pollutants but does not specifically target nutrient removal.