ROWLEY STL Wastewater Treatment Plant, Buchanan County, Iowa

ROWLEY STL is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located on Michel Avenue in Buchanan County, Iowa, United States. The facility serves a small population of 272 residents, reflecting its role in a rural or small community setting within the state. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required under the U.S. Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater facilities. It has a designed capacity of 113.56 megaliters and an annual discharge volume of 75.71 megaliters, indicating a capacity utilization of approximately 67%. The plant operates under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, administered by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, ensuring compliance with federal water quality standards. The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body, contributing to the watershed of the Wapsipinicon River, which flows southeast to the Mississippi River. This river system supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor in the region. The plant's operations help protect downstream water quality in the Mississippi River basin.

ROWLEY STL discharges into a tributary of the Wapsipinicon River, which flows into the Mississippi River. The Mississippi River is a major ecological and economic artery, supporting diverse fish and wildlife habitats. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient and pollutant loads, protecting aquatic ecosystems in the Wapsipinicon and Mississippi watersheds.