Valparaiso WWTP: Secondary Treatment Facility in Valparaiso, Nebraska

Valparaiso WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Valparaiso, Nebraska, within Saunders County. The plant serves a small population of 664 residents, reflecting its role in a rural community. It is situated near Oak Creek Trail and operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Clean Water Act. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard level for small communities in the United States. Its designed capacity is 257.41 megaliters, with an annual discharge volume of 227.13 megaliters, indicating efficient utilization. As a U.S. facility, it is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy, ensuring compliance with water quality standards. The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways, likely tributaries of the Platte River basin, which ultimately drains into the Missouri River and then the Mississippi River. This downstream connection supports diverse aquatic life and agricultural water use in the region. The plant's inland location reduces direct marine impact, but its discharge contributes to the health of the local watershed.

The plant discharges into local streams within the Platte River basin, which flows into the Missouri River and eventually the Mississippi River. This watershed supports a mix of agricultural and natural habitats, including wetlands and riparian zones that provide critical ecosystem services. The treated effluent helps maintain base flows in receiving waters, supporting fish and wildlife populations in this inland region.