Overview
Fish Creek SD 1 STP is a secondary treatment plant serving 1,250 people in Town of Gibraltar, Wisconsin. It discharges 378.54 m³/day of treated wastewater near the Lake Michigan coast.
Fish Creek SD 1 STP is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in the Town of Gibraltar, Door County, Wisconsin, United States. The plant serves a small community of approximately 1,250 residents, providing secondary treatment to protect local water quality. Its designed capacity is 1,324.89 m³/day, with an average daily discharge of 378.54 m³/day. The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal wastewater discharges. As a facility within 10 km of the Great Lakes coast, it is subject to additional state and federal regulations aimed at protecting sensitive freshwater ecosystems. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources oversees permitting and compliance for such plants. Treated effluent from the plant likely discharges into a tributary or directly into the Lake Michigan basin. Lake Michigan is a vital freshwater resource supporting diverse aquatic life, recreational activities, and municipal water supplies. The plant's coastal location underscores the importance of effective nutrient removal to prevent eutrophication and algal blooms in the lake.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Lake Michigan watershed, one of the largest freshwater systems in the world. Lake Michigan supports a rich ecosystem including native fish species, migratory birds, and benthic communities. As a coastal facility, the plant must manage nutrient loads carefully to avoid contributing to harmful algal blooms and hypoxia in nearshore areas. The surrounding Door County region is known for its sensitive karst geology and groundwater-dependent ecosystems.
Frequently asked questions
Fish Creek SD 1 STP is located at 3734 County Road F, Fish Creek, Town of Gibraltar, Door County, Wisconsin, United States.
The plant serves a population of approximately 1,250 residents in the Town of Gibraltar and surrounding areas.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the Lake Michigan basin, likely via a local tributary or direct outfall. As a coastal facility, it must comply with strict discharge limits to protect the Great Lakes ecosystem.
The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Water Act, with permits issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Secondary treatment is required, and additional nutrient limits may apply due to its proximity to Lake Michigan.
In the U.S., municipal plants serving small populations typically provide secondary treatment, as mandated by the Clean Water Act. This includes biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids.
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