COLUMBIAVILLE WWTF, Marathon Township

Overview

COLUMBIAVILLE WWTF is a secondary treatment plant in Marathon Township, Michigan, serving 873 people. It discharges 378.54 cubic meters of treated wastewater daily, operating under U.S. EPA NPDES regulations.

COLUMBIAVILLE WWTF is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Marathon Township, Lapeer County, Michigan. Serving a population of 873, the plant provides secondary treatment to residential wastewater from the Columbiaville area. The facility is situated inland, approximately 43.161°N, -83.405°W, within the Great Lakes Basin. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal wastewater. Its designed capacity is 416.39 cubic meters per day, with a current discharge volume of 378.54 cubic meters per day. As a small agglomeration, the facility is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting, which sets effluent limits to protect receiving waters. The treated effluent is discharged into a local waterway that ultimately drains into the Flint River watershed, part of the larger Lake Huron basin. The downstream environment supports diverse aquatic life and recreational uses. Proper treatment helps maintain water quality in the region's sensitive freshwater ecosystems.

Environmental context

The plant discharges into a tributary of the Flint River, which flows into the Saginaw River and then into Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron. This watershed supports diverse aquatic species and is important for regional water quality. The Great Lakes ecosystem is sensitive to nutrient loading, making secondary treatment essential for protecting downstream habitats.

Frequently asked questions

COLUMBIAVILLE WWTF is located at 4376 Pine Street, Marathon Township, Lapeer County, Michigan, United States.

The plant serves a population of 873 people in the Columbiaville area of Marathon Township.

The plant discharges treated effluent into a local tributary that flows into the Flint River, part of the Saginaw River watershed, ultimately reaching Lake Huron.

The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.

For small agglomerations in Michigan, secondary treatment is standard, which includes biological treatment to remove organic matter and suspended solids, meeting EPA effluent guidelines.