CLEVELAND STP - Secondary Wastewater Treatment Plant in Cleveland, Wisconsin

CLEVELAND STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Cleveland, Wisconsin, along Lake Shore Road near the shores of Lake Michigan. The plant serves a small population of approximately 1,784 residents in the Town of Centerville and surrounding areas within Manitowoc County. As a secondary treatment plant, it provides biological treatment to remove organic matter and suspended solids, meeting the standard requirements under the U.S. Clean Water Act for facilities of this scale. The plant operates with a design capacity of 904.71 volume units and currently handles an average discharge volume of 529.96 volume units, indicating it is operating below its designed capacity. Under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, the plant is regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality. Secondary treatment is the minimum level required for municipal plants under the Clean Water Act, and this facility meets that standard. The treated wastewater from CLEVELAND STP is discharged into the Lake Michigan watershed, a vital freshwater resource that supports diverse aquatic life and provides drinking water for millions. The plant's proximity to the lake (within 10 km of the coast) means its discharge must meet stringent phosphorus and nutrient limits to prevent eutrophication and protect the lake's ecological health. The facility plays a key role in safeguarding the local environment and the broader Great Lakes ecosystem.

CLEVELAND STP discharges into the Lake Michigan basin, part of the Great Lakes system, which ultimately drains to the Atlantic Ocean via the St. Lawrence River. Lake Michigan is a large freshwater lake supporting diverse fish populations, including lake trout and whitefish, and serves as a critical migratory corridor for birds. The plant's coastal location requires careful management of nutrient discharges to prevent algal blooms and maintain water quality for recreation and aquatic life.