Overview
Westside STL is a secondary wastewater treatment plant serving 299 residents in Westside, Iowa. It discharges 113.56 megaliters annually and operates under US Clean Water Act regulations.
Westside STL is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Westside, Crawford County, Iowa, United States. The plant serves a small population of 299 residents, reflecting its role in a rural community. It is situated along US 30 and operates as part of the local infrastructure managed by the city or county. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by the US Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater facilities. With a designed capacity of 170.34 megaliters and an annual discharge volume of 113.56 megaliters, the plant operates below its capacity, indicating adequate headroom for current demand. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids, ensuring compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits. The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body, likely a stream or river within the Missouri River basin. The plant's inland location, over 50 km from the coast, means its discharge affects freshwater ecosystems rather than marine environments. The receiving water body supports local aquatic life and contributes to the broader watershed health, with downstream impacts on the Missouri River and eventually the Gulf of Mexico.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into a local watercourse within the Missouri River watershed, which flows into the Mississippi River and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico. The receiving water body supports diverse aquatic life, including fish and macroinvertebrates, and is part of an ecologically sensitive region that relies on proper nutrient management to prevent downstream eutrophication.
Frequently asked questions
Westside STL is located on US 30 in Westside, Crawford County, Iowa, United States.
The plant serves a population of 299 residents in the Westside area.
The plant discharges treated effluent into a local water body within the Missouri River basin, likely a stream or river that flows toward the Mississippi River.
The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act, which requires NPDES permits for all municipal wastewater discharges. Secondary treatment is the minimum standard for such facilities.
For small communities, secondary treatment is standard, often using lagoons or package plants. The US EPA provides guidelines for small wastewater systems to ensure compliance with Clean Water Act requirements.
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