CHASSELL TWP Wastewater Treatment Plant, Chassell Township, Michigan

The CHASSELL TWP wastewater treatment plant is located in Chassell Township, Houghton County, Michigan, along the Sturgeon River Road. It serves a small community of approximately 1,776 residents, providing secondary treatment to municipal wastewater. The plant's designed capacity is 416.39 million gallons per year, with an actual discharge volume of 416.40 million gallons per year, indicating near-full utilization. As a secondary treatment facility, the plant meets the minimum requirements under the U.S. Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater treatment. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids. The plant's proximity to the coast (within 10 km) places it under additional scrutiny for potential impacts on sensitive Great Lakes waters. The treated effluent from the plant is discharged into the Sturgeon River, which flows into the Keweenaw Waterway and ultimately into Lake Superior, the largest of the Great Lakes. Lake Superior supports a diverse aquatic ecosystem, including native fish species such as lake trout and whitefish, and is a critical freshwater resource for the region. The plant's operations are subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).

The plant discharges into the Sturgeon River, a tributary of the Keweenaw Waterway, which connects to Lake Superior. Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake by surface area in the world and supports a sensitive aquatic ecosystem, including cold-water fish species and migratory birds. The plant's coastal location within 10 km of Lake Superior means that nutrient and pollutant discharges must be carefully managed to prevent eutrophication and protect water quality in this ecologically significant Great Lake.