Overview
CHATHAM STP serves 243 people in Rock River Township, Michigan, with secondary treatment. The plant discharges 113.56 million gallons per year into local waters within the Lake Superior basin.
CHATHAM STP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Rock River Township, Alger County, Michigan, serving a small population of 243 residents. The facility is situated near Munising Street and operates within the Lake Superior watershed, which drains into the largest of the Great Lakes. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard biological process that removes organic matter and suspended solids. With a designed capacity of 113.56 million gallons per year and a matching discharge volume, the facility operates at full capacity. Under the U.S. Clean Water Act, such plants are regulated through National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), ensuring compliance with water quality standards. The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that ultimately flow into Lake Superior, a critical freshwater resource supporting diverse aquatic life and regional ecosystems. The plant's location within 50 km of the Lake Superior coast underscores its role in protecting the lake's water quality from nutrient and pollutant loads, particularly given the sensitive nature of the Great Lakes ecosystem.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into tributaries of Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake by surface area in the world. Lake Superior supports a unique cold-water fishery, including lake trout and whitefish, and is a vital resource for drinking water and recreation. The watershed is characterized by forested terrain and low population density, making the plant's nutrient and pathogen removal important for maintaining oligotrophic conditions in the lake.
Frequently asked questions
CHATHAM STP is located on Munising Street in Rock River Township, Alger County, Michigan, United States.
The plant serves a population of 243 residents in the Rock River Township area.
The plant discharges treated effluent into local waterways that flow into Lake Superior, part of the Great Lakes system.
As a U.S. facility, CHATHAM STP operates under the Clean Water Act, with NPDES permits issued by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).
Small plants like CHATHAM STP typically provide secondary treatment, which is the minimum standard under the Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater.
Nearby plants