ROLFE STP - Secondary Wastewater Treatment in Pocahontas County, Iowa

ROLFE STP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Pocahontas County, Iowa, along the Three Rivers Trail. It serves a small population of 721 residents, reflecting the rural character of the area. The plant is part of Iowa's wastewater infrastructure, managed under state and federal regulations. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by the U.S. Clean Water Act for municipal facilities. With a designed capacity of 264.98 thousand gallons per day and a discharge volume of 302.83 thousand gallons per day, it operates within its capacity to handle local wastewater flows. The treatment process meets the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements, ensuring compliance with water quality standards. The treated effluent is discharged into nearby streams that drain into the Des Moines River basin, ultimately reaching the Mississippi River. This contributes to the ecological health of the watershed, supporting aquatic life and downstream water uses. The plant plays a key role in protecting local water resources in the agricultural landscape of north-central Iowa.

The plant discharges into tributaries of the Des Moines River, which flows southeast to the Mississippi River. This watershed supports diverse aquatic habitats and is important for regional biodiversity. The surrounding area is primarily agricultural, so the plant helps mitigate nutrient and pathogen loads that could impact downstream ecosystems and drinking water supplies.