Overview
Bessemer STP serves the community of Bessemer, Michigan, with a designed capacity of 1.00 million gallons per day. The plant supports local wastewater management in Gogebic County.
Bessemer STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Bessemer, Michigan, United States. It serves a population of approximately 2,148 residents in Gogebic County, providing essential sanitation services to this small community in the Upper Peninsula. The plant has a designed capacity of 1.00 million gallons per day. As a facility in the United States, it operates under the Clean Water Act, with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). These permits set effluent limits to protect water quality. The treated effluent from Bessemer STP likely discharges to a local waterway that flows into the Lake Superior basin, part of the Great Lakes system. The plant plays a role in protecting the sensitive aquatic ecosystems of the region, which support diverse fish populations and recreational uses.
Environmental context
Bessemer STP discharges into a local tributary that ultimately drains into Lake Superior, the largest of the Great Lakes. This watershed supports cold-water fisheries, including lake trout and whitefish, and is ecologically sensitive due to its oligotrophic conditions. Protecting water quality is critical for maintaining the lake's clarity and biodiversity.
Frequently asked questions
Bessemer STP is located at 212 East Silver Street, Bessemer, Michigan, in Gogebic County, United States.
The plant serves approximately 2,148 residents in the Bessemer area.
The treated effluent is discharged into a local waterway that flows into the Lake Superior basin, part of the Great Lakes system.
As a U.S. facility, Bessemer STP operates under the Clean Water Act and is regulated by an NPDES permit issued by Michigan EGLE, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality.
Small plants like Bessemer STP typically use secondary treatment processes, such as activated sludge or lagoons, to meet NPDES permit requirements. Advanced treatment may be required if discharging to sensitive waters.
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