CORNELL STP - Advanced Wastewater Treatment in Cornell, Wisconsin

CORNELL STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Cornell, Wisconsin, serving a population of approximately 1,873 residents. The plant is situated in Chippewa County and operates under the regulatory framework of the United States Clean Water Act, which governs wastewater discharges through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond secondary treatment to remove additional nutrients and contaminants. With a designed capacity of 1,495.23 million gallons per day and an average discharge volume of 329.33 million gallons per day, the facility operates well within its capacity. This advanced treatment level is typical for plants in sensitive watersheds or those requiring high effluent quality. The treated wastewater is discharged into a receiving water body that ultimately flows into the Chippewa River, a tributary of the Mississippi River. The Chippewa River basin supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor in Wisconsin. The plant's advanced treatment helps protect downstream water quality and aquatic habitats.

The plant discharges into a water body that drains into the Chippewa River, which flows southwest to join the Mississippi River. The Chippewa River basin supports a variety of fish species and provides habitat for migratory birds. The advanced treatment at CORNELL STP reduces nutrient loading, helping to prevent eutrophication in downstream waters and maintain the ecological health of the Mississippi River system.