Overview
BEDFORD TOWNSHIP STP serves approximately 28,606 people in Bedford Township, Michigan. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act framework, discharging treated wastewater into the Lake Erie basin.
BEDFORD TOWNSHIP STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located at 509 Lavoy Road in Bedford Township, Monroe County, Michigan. The plant serves a population of roughly 28,606 residents in this suburban community near the Ohio border. As a US facility, the plant operates under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program established by the Clean Water Act. For a population of this scale, secondary treatment is typically required, with possible additional nutrient removal to protect downstream water quality. The plant has a designed capacity of 1.00 million gallons per day. The plant's treated effluent ultimately discharges into the Lake Erie watershed, part of the Great Lakes system. Lake Erie is the shallowest and most biologically productive of the Great Lakes, supporting diverse aquatic life and providing drinking water for millions. The region's agricultural and industrial activities make nutrient management a key environmental concern.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Lake Erie basin, which drains into the Detroit River and then Lake Erie. Lake Erie is the most biologically productive of the Great Lakes, supporting a valuable fishery and providing drinking water for over 11 million people. The watershed faces challenges from nutrient pollution, particularly phosphorus and nitrogen, which can cause harmful algal blooms. The plant's location within 50 km of the coast underscores its role in protecting this sensitive freshwater ecosystem.
Frequently asked questions
BEDFORD TOWNSHIP STP is located at 509 Lavoy Road in Bedford Township, Monroe County, Michigan, United States.
The plant serves approximately 28,606 people in the Bedford Township area.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the Lake Erie basin, which flows into the Detroit River and then Lake Erie.
As a US facility, the plant operates under the Clean Water Act and is regulated through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, typically administered by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.
For a population of this size, secondary treatment is standard under the Clean Water Act. Many plants also incorporate nutrient removal to address local water quality concerns, especially in sensitive watersheds like Lake Erie.
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