Overview
CARLETON LAGOON serves Ash Township, Michigan, treating wastewater for approximately 3,100 residents. The facility operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act's NPDES permit program.
CARLETON LAGOON is a wastewater treatment facility located in Ash Township, Monroe County, Michigan. It serves a population of about 3,100 people, classifying it as a small municipal system in the Great Lakes region. The plant is situated in a rural area near the River Raisin watershed, which drains into Lake Erie. As a U.S. facility, CARLETON LAGOON operates under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, administered by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). For small agglomerations like this, secondary treatment is typically required to meet effluent limits that protect water quality. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 million gallons per day, indicating it is sized for its current service population. The treated effluent from CARLETON LAGOON ultimately reaches Lake Erie via the River Raisin and its tributaries. Lake Erie is a vital freshwater resource that supports diverse aquatic life, including fish species such as walleye and perch, and provides drinking water for millions. The plant's discharge must comply with phosphorus and other nutrient limits to help prevent harmful algal blooms in the lake.
Environmental context
CARLETON LAGOON discharges into the River Raisin watershed, which flows into the western basin of Lake Erie. Lake Erie is a critical freshwater ecosystem that supports commercial and recreational fisheries, and is susceptible to eutrophication from nutrient pollution. The plant's location in a rural agricultural area means its effluent must be managed to minimize impacts on downstream water quality, particularly phosphorus loading that can fuel algal blooms.
Frequently asked questions
CARLETON LAGOON is located on Pine Street in Ash Township, Monroe County, Michigan, United States.
The plant serves approximately 3,100 residents in the Ash Township area.
The treated effluent is discharged into the River Raisin watershed, which flows into the western basin of Lake Erie.
As a U.S. facility, CARLETON LAGOON operates under the Clean Water Act's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), with permits issued by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).
Small municipal plants in the U.S. typically provide secondary treatment, which includes biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids, meeting EPA effluent guidelines.
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