Overview
BUTTERNUT WWTP is a secondary treatment plant serving 400 people in Butternut, Wisconsin. It discharges 276.34 units of treated wastewater daily, with a designed capacity of 321.76 units.
BUTTERNUT WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Butternut, Wisconsin, a small community in Ashland County. The plant serves a population of approximately 400 residents, reflecting its role as a small-scale treatment facility in a rural setting. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required under the U.S. Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids. The plant's designed capacity is 321.76 units, and it currently treats an average daily flow of 276.34 units, indicating it operates below its maximum capacity. The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body, contributing to the protection of downstream ecosystems. As part of the Lake Superior basin, the plant's discharge ultimately reaches Lake Superior, supporting water quality in the Great Lakes system. The facility operates under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, which sets limits on effluent quality to safeguard the receiving waters.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into a tributary of the Bad River, which flows northward into Lake Superior. This watershed is part of the larger Lake Superior basin, a critical freshwater ecosystem supporting diverse aquatic life, including lake trout, whitefish, and migratory birds. The region's cold, clear streams are sensitive to nutrient pollution, making effective wastewater treatment essential for maintaining water quality and ecological health.
Frequently asked questions
BUTTERNUT WWTP is located at 181 North 4th Street in Butternut, Wisconsin, within Ashland County.
The plant serves a population of approximately 400 residents in the Butternut area.
The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body that flows into the Bad River, ultimately reaching Lake Superior.
The plant provides secondary treatment, which includes biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids, meeting standard U.S. Clean Water Act requirements.
As a municipal wastewater plant in the United States, BUTTERNUT WWTP operates under the Clean Water Act and is required to have an NPDES permit that sets effluent limits to protect water quality.
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