Walford WWTP - Secondary Treatment Facility in Benton County, Iowa

Walford WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Benton County, Iowa, serving a population of approximately 1,463 residents. The plant is situated in the rural community of Walford and provides essential sanitation services for the area. The facility employs secondary treatment processes, meeting the standard requirements under the U.S. Clean Water Act. With a designed capacity of 1,059.91 m³/day and an average discharge volume of 757.08 m³/day, the plant operates within its capacity. As a publicly owned treatment works (POTW), it is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality. The treated effluent from Walford WWTP is discharged into local waterways that ultimately drain into the Mississippi River basin. The plant plays a key role in protecting downstream aquatic ecosystems by reducing organic pollutants and nutrients before discharge. Its location inland, away from coastal areas, reduces direct marine impact but still contributes to the health of the larger river system.

The plant discharges into tributaries of the Iowa River, which flows into the Mississippi River and eventually the Gulf of Mexico. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is part of a larger system affected by nutrient loading. The plant's secondary treatment helps mitigate local eutrophication risks and protects downstream habitats.