EAU CLAIRE LAGOON Wastewater Treatment Plant, Berrien Township, Michigan

EAU CLAIRE LAGOON is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Berrien Township, Berrien County, Michigan. The plant serves a small population of 622 residents and is part of the region's wastewater infrastructure. It is situated inland, more than 10 km from the coast, but within 50 km of Lake Michigan. The plant provides secondary treatment, a standard level for small communities in the United States. Its designed capacity is 264.98 megaliters, with an annual discharge volume of 189.27 megaliters. As a US facility, it operates under the Clean Water Act and is regulated by an EPA NPDES permit issued by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), which sets effluent limits to protect water quality. The treated effluent is discharged into a local waterway that ultimately drains into Lake Michigan, part of the Great Lakes system. This watershed supports diverse aquatic life and provides drinking water for millions. The plant's operation helps maintain the ecological health of the region by reducing nutrient and pollutant loads.

The plant's discharge flows into a tributary of the St. Joseph River, which empties into Lake Michigan. Lake Michigan is a vital freshwater resource supporting fisheries, recreation, and municipal water supplies. The watershed is ecologically sensitive, with habitats for migratory fish and native species. Proper wastewater treatment is essential to prevent eutrophication and protect the lake's water quality.