Elba Twp WWTP Lagoon - Secondary Treatment Plant in Elba Township, Michigan

Elba Twp WWTP Lagoon is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Elba Township, Lapeer County, Michigan. The plant serves a small population of 700 residents and operates as a lagoon system providing secondary treatment. It is part of the state's wastewater infrastructure managed under the U.S. Clean Water Act. The plant's designed capacity is 193.06 million gallons per day, with a similar discharge volume, indicating it operates at full capacity. As a secondary treatment facility, it meets the national standards for reducing organic pollutants and suspended solids before discharge. The plant is regulated under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality. The treated effluent is discharged into local streams that drain into the Flint River watershed, ultimately reaching Lake Huron. This contributes to the health of the Great Lakes ecosystem, which supports diverse aquatic life and provides drinking water for millions. The plant plays a key role in preventing nutrient pollution and maintaining the ecological balance of the region's surface waters.

The plant discharges into tributaries of the Flint River, which flows into the Saginaw River and then into Saginaw Bay, part of Lake Huron. This watershed supports a variety of fish species and is important for recreational fishing and wildlife habitat. The discharge must meet state and federal standards to prevent eutrophication and protect downstream ecosystems.