Overview
ELKHART WWTP serves approximately 56,000 people in Elkhart, Indiana. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the St. Joseph River, part of the Great Lakes Basin.
ELKHART WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Elkhart, Indiana, serving a population of about 56,227. The plant is situated on Jones Street and operates as part of the city's wastewater infrastructure, discharging into the St. Joseph River. As a US facility serving a medium-sized agglomeration, the plant is subject to the Clean Water Act and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting. Treatment typically includes secondary or advanced processes to meet water quality standards for the receiving water body. The St. Joseph River flows into Lake Michigan, a vital freshwater resource. The plant's discharge contributes to the river's flow and must comply with limits to protect aquatic life and downstream water quality in the Great Lakes ecosystem.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the St. Joseph River, which flows northwest through Indiana and Michigan before entering Lake Michigan at St. Joseph, Michigan. Lake Michigan is part of the Great Lakes system, the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth. The river supports diverse aquatic species and is used for recreation. The plant's effluent must meet stringent limits to prevent nutrient enrichment and protect the lake's ecosystem.
Frequently asked questions
ELKHART WWTP is located on Jones Street in Elkhart, Elkhart County, Indiana, United States.
The plant serves approximately 56,227 people in the Elkhart area.
The plant discharges treated wastewater into the St. Joseph River, which flows into Lake Michigan.
The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act and is regulated via an NPDES permit issued by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality.
Plants of this scale in the US typically employ secondary treatment (biological processes) and may include advanced treatment for nutrient removal to meet NPDES permit requirements.
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