Overview
ALGOMA WWTP serves the city of Algoma, Wisconsin, treating wastewater for approximately 3,362 residents. The plant discharges into the Lake Michigan basin, supporting local water quality in this Great Lakes community.
ALGOMA WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Algoma, Wisconsin, along the western shore of Lake Michigan. The plant serves a population of about 3,362 residents, making it a small-scale facility typical of rural communities in the Great Lakes region. Its location within 50 kilometers of the coast places it in a sensitive watershed where nutrient management is critical. As a US-based facility, ALGOMA WWTP operates under the Clean Water Act, with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. For small agglomerations like this, secondary treatment is typically required to meet effluent limits for biochemical oxygen demand and total suspended solids. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 million gallons per day, reflecting its scale. The treated effluent from ALGOMA WWTP ultimately reaches Lake Michigan, one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world. The lake supports diverse aquatic life, including native fish species and migratory birds. Protecting water quality in this basin is essential for drinking water supplies, recreation, and the ecological health of the Great Lakes ecosystem.
Environmental context
ALGOMA WWTP discharges into the Lake Michigan basin, part of the larger Great Lakes system that drains to the St. Lawrence River and Atlantic Ocean. The receiving waters support a complex food web, including lake trout, whitefish, and other cold-water species. Nutrient loading from wastewater can contribute to algal blooms, making effective treatment important for maintaining the lake's oligotrophic conditions and supporting regional biodiversity.
Frequently asked questions
ALGOMA WWTP is located on 6th Street in Algoma, Kewaunee County, Wisconsin, United States, near the western shore of Lake Michigan.
ALGOMA WWTP serves approximately 3,362 residents in the city of Algoma and surrounding areas.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the Lake Michigan basin, likely via a local watercourse or direct outfall, contributing to the Great Lakes watershed.
ALGOMA WWTP operates under the US Clean Water Act, with NPDES permits issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, which set effluent limits for secondary treatment.
For small agglomerations like this, secondary treatment is standard, involving biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids, meeting EPA requirements.
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