University Park STL Wastewater Treatment Plant, University Park, Iowa

University Park STL is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in University Park, Mahaska County, Iowa. The plant serves a small population of 604 residents, reflecting its role in a rural community within the Midwestern United States. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard biological process that removes organic matter and suspended solids. With a designed capacity of 264.98 cubic meters per day and a current discharge volume of 378.54 cubic meters per day, the facility operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires NPDES permits for such discharges to ensure compliance with water quality standards. The treated effluent is discharged into a local waterway, contributing to the Mississippi River basin. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is an important resource for agriculture and recreation in the region. The plant's operations help protect downstream water quality in the Mississippi River system.

The plant discharges into a tributary of the Des Moines River, which flows into the Mississippi River and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico. The local watershed supports agricultural runoff and natural habitats, making effective wastewater treatment critical to preventing nutrient pollution and maintaining aquatic ecosystem health.