Overview
Detroit Lakes WWTP serves 8,813 residents in Minnesota, treating municipal wastewater under the US Clean Water Act. The plant discharges into the local watershed, contributing to the Red River Basin.
Detroit Lakes WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, serving a population of approximately 8,813. The plant is situated in Becker County and operates under the regulatory framework of the US Clean Water Act, which governs wastewater discharges through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. As a facility serving a small to medium-sized community, the plant is expected to provide secondary treatment as a minimum standard under federal regulations. The plant's designed capacity and current utilization are not publicly reported, but the population served suggests a moderate-scale operation. The treated effluent from Detroit Lakes WWTP is discharged into a local water body that ultimately drains into the Red River Basin, which flows north into Canada and empties into Lake Winnipeg. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and is an important ecological corridor in the region. The plant's operations are subject to state and federal oversight to protect downstream water quality.
Environmental context
The Detroit Lakes WWTP discharges into a local tributary within the Red River Basin, which flows northward through Minnesota and North Dakota into Manitoba, Canada, eventually reaching Lake Winnipeg. This basin is characterized by flat terrain and agricultural land use, making it sensitive to nutrient loading. The receiving waters support fish populations and migratory birds, and the plant's effluent must meet state water quality standards to prevent eutrophication and protect aquatic habitats.
Frequently asked questions
Detroit Lakes WWTP is located in Detroit Lakes, Becker County, Minnesota, United States, near the intersection of US 59 and MN 34.
The plant serves a population of 8,813 residents in the Detroit Lakes area.
The treated effluent is discharged into a local water body that flows into the Red River Basin, eventually reaching Lake Winnipeg.
The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act, which requires NPDES permits for wastewater discharges. These permits set effluent limits to protect water quality.
For a community of this size, secondary treatment is standard, typically involving biological processes like activated sludge or trickling filters, followed by disinfection.
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