CUSTER STP Wastewater Treatment Plant, Custer Township, Michigan

CUSTER STP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Custer Township, Mason County, Michigan, United States. The facility serves a small population of 315 residents, providing secondary treatment to manage local wastewater. The plant is situated inland, approximately 10 to 50 kilometers from the Lake Michigan coast. As a secondary treatment plant, CUSTER STP meets the standard requirements under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which mandates secondary treatment for municipal wastewater to reduce organic pollutants and suspended solids. The plant has a designed capacity of 113.56 volume units and currently processes 75.71 volume units, indicating operational capacity below its design limit. The treated effluent from CUSTER STP is discharged into the Lake Michigan watershed, which ultimately drains into Lake Michigan, one of the Great Lakes. This water body supports diverse aquatic life and provides drinking water for millions. The plant's operations are regulated under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program to protect downstream water quality.

CUSTER STP discharges into the Lake Michigan watershed, which flows into Lake Michigan, a major freshwater resource in the Great Lakes system. The area supports diverse aquatic species and is a critical migratory corridor for fish. Protecting water quality in this watershed is essential for maintaining the ecological health of the Great Lakes and ensuring safe drinking water for downstream communities.