Rolling Fork POTW West Wastewater Treatment Plant, Sharkey County, Mississippi

Rolling Fork POTW West is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Sharkey County, Mississippi, United States. It serves a small community of approximately 1,298 residents, providing essential sanitation services for the area. The plant is situated in the Mississippi Delta region, an area characterized by flat, agricultural land and numerous rivers and bayous. The plant operates with secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by the U.S. Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater facilities. Under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), plants of this scale must meet effluent limits for biochemical oxygen demand and total suspended solids. The plant has a designed capacity of 908,500 gallons per day and currently treats an average daily flow of 484,530 gallons, indicating it operates well within its capacity. The treated effluent from Rolling Fork POTW West is discharged into local receiving waters, which ultimately drain into the Mississippi River watershed. The Mississippi River is a major ecological and economic resource, supporting diverse aquatic life and providing drinking water for millions. The plant's secondary treatment helps protect downstream water quality and the health of the river ecosystem.

The plant discharges into local streams that flow into the Mississippi River, one of the largest river systems in North America. The Mississippi River supports a rich diversity of fish, birds, and other wildlife, and its delta is a critical habitat for migratory species. The plant's secondary treatment reduces pollutants, helping to maintain water quality in this ecologically significant watershed.