Shawneetown STP - Advanced Wastewater Treatment in Gallatin County, Illinois

Shawneetown STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Gallatin County, Illinois, United States. The plant serves a small community of approximately 1,575 residents, providing advanced treatment to protect local water quality. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients and other pollutants. With a designed capacity of 1,854.85 units and a current discharge volume of 946.35 units, 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) permits issued by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. The treated effluent is discharged into a receiving water body, which ultimately drains into the Ohio River basin. The Ohio River flows into the Mississippi River, contributing to the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem. The advanced treatment helps protect downstream aquatic habitats and supports water quality standards in the region.

The plant discharges into a local waterway that is part of the Ohio River basin, which flows into the Mississippi River and eventually reaches the Gulf of Mexico. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is important for migratory fish species. The advanced treatment level helps reduce nutrient loading, which is critical for preventing eutrophication in downstream waters.