BRULE SD STP - Secondary Wastewater Treatment Plant in Town of Brule, Wisconsin

BRULE SD STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in the Town of Brule, Douglas County, Wisconsin. Serving a population of approximately 289 residents, the plant provides secondary treatment to meet state and federal water quality standards. The plant treats an average daily flow of 79,490 gallons, with a designed capacity of 132,490 gallons, indicating operational headroom for future growth. As a secondary treatment facility, BRULE SD STP employs biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids, consistent with typical requirements for small communities under the U.S. Clean Water Act. The plant operates under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, administered by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, which sets effluent limits to protect receiving water quality. The plant discharges treated effluent to a local water body that ultimately drains into Lake Superior via the Bois Brule River and its tributaries. Lake Superior is the largest of the Great Lakes and supports a diverse aquatic ecosystem, including cold-water fish species such as lake trout and whitefish. The plant's discharge is regulated to minimize nutrient loading and protect downstream water quality in this sensitive freshwater system.

The treated effluent from BRULE SD STP enters a local stream that flows into the Bois Brule River, a designated Wild and Scenic River known for its pristine waters and recreational value. The Bois Brule River empties into Lake Superior near the town of Brule, Wisconsin. Lake Superior's cold, oligotrophic waters support a unique ecosystem with low nutrient levels, making it sensitive to phosphorus and nitrogen inputs. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce organic pollutants and nutrients, protecting the river's trout habitat and the lake's water clarity.