Overview
Urbana and Champaign Southwest STP serves approximately 30,559 residents in Champaign, Illinois. The plant discharges treated wastewater into local waterways within the Upper Mississippi River Basin.
The Urbana and Champaign Southwest STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Champaign, Illinois, serving a population of about 30,559. It is part of the wastewater infrastructure for the Urbana-Champaign metropolitan area, operating under the regulatory framework of the United States Clean Water Act. As a medium-sized agglomeration, the plant is expected to provide secondary treatment as a minimum standard under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. The facility's treatment processes and capacity are designed to meet state and federal effluent guidelines, ensuring compliance with water quality standards for the receiving water body. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into local streams that flow into the Kaskaskia River or the Vermilion River, both part of the Upper Mississippi River Basin. This basin supports diverse aquatic life and provides drinking water for downstream communities. The plant plays a critical role in protecting water quality in this agriculturally intensive region.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into local tributaries of the Upper Mississippi River Basin, which ultimately drains into the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. The watershed supports a variety of aquatic species and is an important corridor for migratory birds. The region's agricultural land use contributes nutrient runoff, making effective wastewater treatment essential to prevent eutrophication in downstream water bodies.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located on South Rising Road in Champaign, Champaign County, Illinois, United States.
The plant serves approximately 30,559 residents in the Urbana-Champaign area.
The plant discharges treated effluent into local streams that are part of the Upper Mississippi River Basin, ultimately reaching the Mississippi River.
The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
Under the Clean Water Act, plants of this size are typically required to provide at least secondary treatment, which removes about 85% of organic matter and suspended solids.
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