Clearbrook STP - Secondary Wastewater Treatment in Clearbrook, Minnesota

Clearbrook STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Clearbrook, Clearwater County, Minnesota. The plant serves a small population of 511 residents, reflecting the rural character of the area. It operates as a secondary treatment facility, which is the standard level required by the U.S. Clean Water Act for most municipal plants. The plant has a designed capacity of 473.18 m³/day and currently discharges an average of 378.54 m³/day of treated effluent. Under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), plants of this scale are typically permitted by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, ensuring compliance with water quality standards. Secondary treatment removes about 85% of organic matter and suspended solids, protecting receiving waters. The treated effluent flows into local streams that drain into the Mississippi River basin, ultimately reaching the Gulf of Mexico. This plant plays a key role in safeguarding water quality in the headwaters region, supporting aquatic life and downstream ecosystems. Its location inland and away from coastal areas reduces direct marine impact.

Clearbrook STP discharges into small streams within the Upper Mississippi River basin, which flows south through Minnesota and eventually into the Gulf of Mexico. The region is characterized by forests, wetlands, and agricultural land, making nutrient management important to prevent downstream eutrophication. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce organic pollutants and protect local aquatic habitats.