Erie Co SD2 WWTP at Big Sister, Angola

Overview

Erie Co SD2 WWTP at Big Sister serves the Village of Angola, New York, treating wastewater for approximately 24,000 residents. The plant discharges into Lake Erie, a Great Lake that provides drinking water and supports diverse aquatic life.

Erie Co SD2 WWTP at Big Sister is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in the Village of Angola, Erie County, New York. The plant serves a population of approximately 24,073 residents in the Lake Erie coastal region. As part of the Erie County sewer district, it plays a key role in managing wastewater from this lakeside community. Under the U.S. Clean Water Act, plants of this scale are typically required to meet secondary treatment standards through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting program. The designed capacity of 1.00 million gallons per day indicates the plant's infrastructure is sized for the local population. Treatment processes commonly include primary sedimentation, biological treatment, and disinfection before discharge. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into Lake Erie, the fourth-largest Great Lake by surface area. Lake Erie supports a vibrant fishery, including walleye and perch, and provides drinking water for millions. The plant's operations are critical to protecting water quality in the lake, which faces challenges from nutrient pollution and harmful algal blooms.

Environmental context

The plant discharges into Lake Erie, which is part of the Great Lakes system and ultimately drains into the Atlantic Ocean via the St. Lawrence River. Lake Erie is ecologically sensitive due to its shallow depth and susceptibility to nutrient enrichment. The plant's discharge must comply with phosphorus limits to help mitigate algal blooms that affect water quality and aquatic habitats in the western and central basins.

Frequently asked questions

The plant is located at 8427 Lake Shore Road in the Village of Angola, Erie County, New York, along the eastern shore of Lake Erie.

The plant discharges treated effluent into Lake Erie, which is part of the Great Lakes system. Discharge is regulated under the U.S. Clean Water Act via an NPDES permit.

The plant serves approximately 24,073 residents in the Village of Angola and surrounding areas of Erie County.

The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires NPDES permits for wastewater discharges. For a plant of this scale, secondary treatment is typically mandated to protect water quality in Lake Erie.

Plants of this size in New York commonly use secondary treatment processes such as activated sludge or trickling filters, followed by disinfection. They must meet state and federal effluent limits for BOD, TSS, and phosphorus to protect Lake Erie.