ELKTON WWSL Wastewater Treatment Plant, Oliver Township, Michigan

ELKTON WWSL is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Oliver Township, Huron County, Michigan. It serves a small population of 770 residents and is situated near the eastern coast of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required under the US Clean Water Act for facilities of this scale. With a designed capacity of 567.81 m³/day and an average daily discharge of 378.54 m³/day, it operates within its capacity. The plant is regulated under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program, administered by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). The treated effluent is discharged into local waterways that drain into Saginaw Bay, part of Lake Huron. This region supports diverse aquatic life and is important for recreational fishing and tourism. The plant's coastal location within 10 km of Lake Huron necessitates careful management to protect the Great Lakes ecosystem.

The plant discharges into tributaries of Saginaw Bay, which flows into Lake Huron, one of the five Great Lakes. This watershed supports a variety of fish species, including walleye and perch, and is a critical habitat for migratory waterfowl. The proximity to Lake Huron means that nutrient loading from wastewater must be controlled to prevent algal blooms and maintain water quality for drinking and recreation.