Overview
Spanish Wastewater Treatment Lagoon serves the community of Spanish, Ontario, Canada. This secondary treatment facility discharges treated wastewater into the local environment near the North Channel of Lake Huron.
The Spanish Wastewater Treatment Lagoon is a municipal wastewater facility located in Spanish, Ontario, Canada. It serves a small population of approximately 620 residents in this community situated along the North Channel of Lake Huron. The plant operates as a secondary treatment lagoon system, which is typical for small communities in Ontario. As a secondary treatment facility, the plant provides biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge. The plant's discharge volume is reported at 361 cubic meters per day. In Ontario, wastewater treatment plants are regulated under the Ontario Water Resources Act and the Environmental Protection Act, with permits issued by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. For small lagoon systems, effluent quality standards are set to protect receiving water bodies. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into the North Channel of Lake Huron, part of the Great Lakes system. Lake Huron is a major freshwater resource supporting diverse aquatic life, including fish species such as lake trout and walleye. The plant's proximity to the coast (within 10 km) means its discharge can directly affect the nearshore water quality of this ecologically significant lake.
Environmental context
The Spanish Wastewater Treatment Lagoon discharges into the local drainage that flows into the North Channel of Lake Huron, a large freshwater lake that is part of the Great Lakes system. Lake Huron supports a diverse ecosystem, including fish spawning areas and migratory bird routes. The nearshore zone is sensitive to nutrient inputs, which can promote algal growth and affect water clarity. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce organic loading, but the small community's discharge is relatively minor compared to larger urban sources.
Frequently asked questions
The Spanish Wastewater Treatment Lagoon is located in Spanish, Ontario, Canada, near the Spanish Marina on Garnier Road. It serves the community of Spanish in the Algoma District.
The plant serves a population of approximately 620 residents in the town of Spanish and surrounding areas.
The plant uses a secondary treatment lagoon system. Treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which flows into the North Channel of Lake Huron.
In Ontario, wastewater treatment plants are regulated under the Ontario Water Resources Act and the Environmental Protection Act. Permits are issued by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, setting effluent quality standards to protect receiving waters.
Small communities in Ontario often use lagoon systems with secondary treatment, which provide biological treatment to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. This is cost-effective for populations under 1,000.
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