Overview
Albert Lea WWTP serves approximately 17,948 people in Albert Lea, Minnesota. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act and NPDES permit framework.
Albert Lea WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Albert Lea, Freeborn County, Minnesota. It serves an estimated population of 17,948, placing it in the small-to-medium agglomeration category for US inland plants. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act, which requires NPDES permits for all point source discharges. The plant discharges into the local watershed, which drains into the Shell Rock River and ultimately the Mississippi River basin. This waterway supports diverse aquatic life and is an important regional resource for recreation and ecology.
Environmental context
The plant's discharge enters the Shell Rock River, a tributary of the Cedar River, which flows into the Mississippi River and eventually the Gulf of Mexico. The watershed supports a variety of fish and wildlife, and the river is used for recreation. Protecting water quality here helps maintain the ecological health of the larger Mississippi River system.
Frequently asked questions
Albert Lea WWTP is located on East Fountain Street in Albert Lea, Freeborn County, Minnesota, United States.
The plant serves approximately 17,948 people in the Albert Lea area.
The plant discharges into the Shell Rock River, which flows into the Cedar River and then the Mississippi River.
Under the US Clean Water Act, the plant must operate under an NPDES permit that sets limits on pollutants to protect water quality in the receiving waters.
For a community of this size, secondary treatment is the minimum standard required by the EPA, which typically includes biological treatment to remove organic matter and suspended solids.
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