Overview
CRYSTAL STP in Crystal Township, Michigan, provides secondary treatment for approximately 3,092 residents. The plant discharges treated wastewater into local waterways within the Grand River watershed.
CRYSTAL STP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant serving Crystal Township in Montcalm County, Michigan. The facility provides secondary treatment for a population of about 3,092, reflecting its role as a small community wastewater system in the rural Midwest. With a designed capacity of 681.37 volume units and an average daily discharge of 605.67 volume units, the plant operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Clean Water Act. As a secondary treatment facility, it meets the national standards for biochemical oxygen demand and total suspended solids removal, which are typical for plants of this scale in the United States. The treated effluent from CRYSTAL STP is discharged into local streams that flow into the Grand River, which ultimately drains into Lake Michigan. This places the plant within the Lake Michigan basin, contributing to the water quality management of the Great Lakes ecosystem. The plant's operations are subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).
Environmental context
The plant's discharge enters tributaries of the Grand River, which flows westward through Michigan to Lake Michigan. The Grand River watershed supports diverse aquatic life, including coldwater fisheries and migratory fish species. Downstream, Lake Michigan is a critical freshwater resource that requires careful nutrient management to prevent eutrophication. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce organic pollutants and suspended solids, protecting the ecological health of the receiving waters.
Frequently asked questions
CRYSTAL STP is located on Miner Road in Crystal Township, Montcalm County, Michigan, United States.
The plant serves approximately 3,092 residents in Crystal Township and surrounding areas.
The plant discharges treated effluent into local streams that flow into the Grand River, which ultimately drains into Lake Michigan.
CRYSTAL STP provides secondary treatment, which is the standard required by the U.S. Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater plants.
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 (EGLE).
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