Cambridge STP Wastewater Treatment Plant, Minnesota

Cambridge STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Cambridge, Minnesota, serving a population of about 8,629. The plant is situated in Isanti County and plays a key role in managing wastewater for this growing community in the upper Midwest. As a facility serving fewer than 10,000 people, Cambridge STP operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. Plants of this scale in Minnesota typically employ secondary treatment to meet state and federal effluent standards. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the Rum River watershed, which flows into the Mississippi River. This discharge contributes to the overall water quality of the region, supporting aquatic life and downstream uses including recreation and drinking water supply.

Cambridge STP discharges into the Rum River, a tributary of the Mississippi River. The Rum River flows through east-central Minnesota, supporting diverse aquatic habitats including fish spawning areas and migratory bird corridors. The Mississippi River downstream is a major waterway that ultimately reaches the Gulf of Mexico, making nutrient management at plants like Cambridge STP important for reducing downstream eutrophication.