CLAYTON LAGOON Wastewater Treatment Plant, Hudson Township, Michigan

CLAYTON LAGOON is a wastewater treatment facility located in Hudson Township, Lenawee County, Michigan. The plant serves a small community of 384 residents, providing secondary treatment to municipal wastewater. It is situated inland, away from coastal areas, and operates under the regulatory framework of the United States Clean Water Act. The plant employs secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by the US EPA for municipal wastewater facilities. With a designed capacity of 227.12 megaliters and an annual discharge volume of 151.42 megaliters, the plant operates below its full capacity. As a small-scale facility, it is subject to state-level NPDES permits that govern its discharge limits and monitoring requirements. The treated effluent from CLAYTON LAGOON is discharged into local waterways that ultimately drain into the Great Lakes Basin. The plant plays a crucial role in protecting the region's water quality by reducing pollutants before discharge. Its operation supports the ecological health of downstream rivers and lakes, which are important for recreation and wildlife.

CLAYTON LAGOON discharges into the Raisin River watershed, which flows into Lake Erie via the Maumee River and western Lake Erie basin. This region is ecologically sensitive due to nutrient loading concerns that contribute to harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce organic pollutants and nutrients, supporting the health of downstream aquatic ecosystems.