Overview
FENWOOD STP is an advanced wastewater treatment plant serving 162 people in Fenwood, Wisconsin. It discharges 26.50 units of treated effluent daily, with a designed capacity of 56.78 units.
FENWOOD STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Fenwood, Wisconsin, United States. The plant serves a small population of 162 residents, reflecting its role in a rural community within Marathon County. As a publicly owned treatment works, it is part of the nation's decentralized wastewater infrastructure. The plant employs advanced treatment processes, which go beyond secondary treatment to remove nutrients and other pollutants. It has a designed capacity of 56.78 units and currently discharges 26.50 units of treated wastewater daily. Under the U.S. Clean Water Act, such facilities must comply with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, which set effluent limits to protect water quality. The treated effluent is discharged into a local waterway, ultimately contributing to the Wisconsin River basin and the Mississippi River watershed. The plant's advanced treatment helps safeguard downstream aquatic ecosystems, including the Upper Mississippi River, which supports diverse fish and wildlife populations.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into a tributary of the Wisconsin River, which flows into the Mississippi River. This watershed supports a variety of aquatic life, including game fish and migratory birds. The advanced treatment reduces nutrient loading, helping to prevent eutrophication in downstream waters like the Gulf of Mexico, where nutrient pollution contributes to a large hypoxic zone.
Frequently asked questions
FENWOOD STP is located at 592 Fir Street, Fenwood, Wisconsin, in Marathon County, United States.
The plant serves a population of 162 residents in the small community of Fenwood, Wisconsin.
The plant discharges treated effluent into a local waterway that drains into the Wisconsin River and ultimately the Mississippi River.
As a municipal wastewater treatment plant, FENWOOD STP operates under the Clean Water Act and is required to have an NPDES permit that sets effluent limits to protect water quality.
Small plants in the U.S. often use advanced treatment to meet strict discharge limits, especially if discharging to sensitive waters. FENWOOD STP uses advanced treatment, which is common for facilities in environmentally sensitive areas.
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