SHELBURN SEPTICS Wastewater Treatment Plant, Lake Providence, Louisiana

SHELBURN SEPTICS is a wastewater treatment facility located in Lake Providence, Louisiana, within East Carroll Parish. The plant serves a small population of 376 residents, reflecting its role in a rural community. As a secondary treatment facility, it provides biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires NPDES permits for all discharges. For small plants like this, secondary treatment is the standard requirement, ensuring compliance with federal effluent guidelines. The designed capacity of 94.64 million gallons per year matches the current discharge volume, indicating full utilization. The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that drain into the Mississippi River basin. This region is part of the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Plain, an ecologically important area supporting diverse aquatic life and migratory birds. The plant's operations help protect water quality in this sensitive watershed.

The plant discharges into tributaries of the Mississippi River, which flows into the Gulf of Mexico. This region is part of the Mississippi River Delta, a critical habitat for fish, waterfowl, and other wildlife. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient loading, which is important for mitigating the Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone.