What Cheer WWTP - Secondary Treatment Plant in What Cheer, Iowa

What Cheer WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in What Cheer, Iowa, United States. The plant serves a small population of 762 residents, reflecting the rural character of the community in Keokuk County. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required under the U.S. Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids. The plant has a designed capacity of 1,211.33 thousand cubic meters per year and currently discharges 227.13 thousand cubic meters annually, indicating significant spare capacity. The treated effluent from What Cheer WWTP is discharged into a local water body, which ultimately drains into the Mississippi River basin. The plant's operations are subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, ensuring compliance with water quality standards to protect downstream ecosystems.

What Cheer WWTP discharges into a local stream that is part of the Mississippi River watershed. The Mississippi River is a major ecological corridor supporting diverse aquatic life and migratory birds. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient and organic loads, protecting downstream water quality in the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico.