SUMNER POTW - Tallahatchie County, Mississippi Wastewater Treatment Plant

SUMNER POTW is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Tallahatchie County, Mississippi, within the United States. The facility serves a population of approximately 2,094 residents, classifying it as a small-scale treatment operation in a rural setting. The plant is situated inland, away from coastal zones, and its operations are integral to local sanitation infrastructure. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard biological treatment process required under the U.S. Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater. Secondary treatment typically involves biological oxidation and sedimentation to remove organic matter and suspended solids. The plant's design capacity of 1,476.31 million gallons per year indicates its intended scale. The actual discharge volume of 185.49 million gallons per year suggests utilization well below capacity, which may reflect seasonal or population variations. The treated effluent from SUMNER POTW is discharged into local waterways that ultimately drain into the Mississippi River basin. The plant's operations are subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, ensuring compliance with federal water quality standards. The facility plays a key role in protecting downstream water resources and public health in the region.

SUMNER POTW discharges into tributaries of the Mississippi River, which flows into the Gulf of Mexico. The Mississippi River basin is one of the largest drainage systems in North America, supporting diverse aquatic ecosystems and providing drinking water for millions. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient loads that could contribute to hypoxia in the Gulf, though additional nutrient removal may be needed to fully address downstream impacts.