Stuart WWTP - Secondary Wastewater Treatment Plant in Stuart, Iowa

Stuart WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Stuart, Iowa, serving a population of approximately 1,831 residents. The plant operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Clean Water Act, which governs wastewater discharges through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. As a secondary treatment facility, it meets the standard level of treatment required for most municipal plants in the United States. The plant has a designed capacity of 931.21 thousand gallons per day and currently treats an average daily flow of 575.38 thousand gallons per day. This capacity utilization suggests the plant has room for future growth or seasonal variations. The treatment process involves biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids, followed by disinfection before discharge. The treated effluent is discharged into a local waterway that ultimately drains into the Mississippi River basin. The plant plays a key role in protecting downstream water quality in the region, which supports agricultural and ecological systems. Proper wastewater treatment helps prevent nutrient pollution and maintains the health of aquatic habitats in the broader watershed.

Stuart WWTP discharges treated wastewater into a local stream that flows into the Raccoon River, a tributary of the Des Moines River, which eventually joins the Mississippi River. The receiving waters support diverse aquatic life and are used for recreation and agriculture. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient loads, protecting downstream ecosystems from eutrophication and maintaining water quality for communities along the river.