Overview
RWRA Owensboro East serves approximately 31,744 residents in Owensboro, Kentucky. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, with NPDES permits regulating its discharge to protect local waterways.
RWRA Owensboro East is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Owensboro, Daviess County, Kentucky, serving a population of about 31,744. As a medium-sized agglomeration, it plays a key role in managing wastewater for the Owensboro area. Under the U.S. Clean Water Act, plants of this scale are required to meet secondary treatment standards through National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Kentucky Division of Water. These permits set effluent limits to protect water quality in receiving streams. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the Ohio River basin, which flows into the Mississippi River and ultimately to the Gulf of Mexico. The Ohio River supports diverse aquatic life and is a critical drinking water source for millions downstream.
Environmental context
The plant's discharge enters the Ohio River, a major tributary of the Mississippi River system. The Ohio River watershed supports a variety of fish and wildlife, including migratory species. Downstream, the Mississippi River delivers nutrients and pollutants to the Gulf of Mexico, where nutrient loading contributes to seasonal hypoxic zones. Effective treatment at this plant helps reduce nutrient and contaminant loads to this sensitive downstream ecosystem.
Frequently asked questions
RWRA Owensboro East is located in Owensboro, Daviess County, Kentucky, United States.
The plant serves approximately 31,744 residents in the Owensboro area.
The plant discharges treated wastewater into the Ohio River basin, which flows into the Mississippi River and eventually to the Gulf of Mexico.
The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, with NPDES permits issued by the Kentucky Division of Water, requiring secondary treatment and effluent limits.
U.S. plants of this scale typically provide secondary treatment, including biological processes, and may include disinfection. NPDES permits set specific limits for BOD, TSS, and nutrients.
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