Balsam Lake STP - Secondary Wastewater Treatment in Balsam Lake, Wisconsin

Balsam Lake STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Balsam Lake, Polk County, Wisconsin. It serves a small community of about 996 people, providing secondary treatment to meet state and federal water quality standards. The plant's designed capacity is 454.25 million gallons per day, with an average daily flow of 386.11 million gallons, indicating efficient operation within its capacity. As a secondary treatment plant, Balsam Lake STP uses biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids. It operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for all discharges. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources oversees permitting and compliance for facilities of this scale, ensuring protection of local water resources. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into nearby streams that flow into the St. Croix River, a tributary of the Mississippi River. The St. Croix River is a National Scenic Riverway, supporting diverse aquatic life and recreational activities. The plant plays a key role in maintaining water quality in this ecologically sensitive watershed.

The plant discharges into local waterways that drain into the St. Croix River, which flows south to join the Mississippi River near Prescott, Wisconsin. The St. Croix River is a critical habitat for fish species such as walleye and smallmouth bass, and its watershed supports diverse wildlife. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient loading and protect downstream ecosystems, including Lake St. Croix, a natural lake formed by the river's widening.