Overview
FRWRD West STP serves approximately 22,500 people in Elgin, Illinois. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act, discharging treated wastewater into the Fox River watershed.
FRWRD West STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Elgin, Illinois, serving a population of about 22,517. The plant is part of the Fox River Water Reclamation District's infrastructure, managing wastewater from the western portion of Elgin and surrounding areas. The plant operates under the US Clean Water Act, which requires secondary treatment for municipal facilities of this scale. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program governs its discharge, ensuring compliance with water quality standards. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the Fox River, a tributary of the Illinois River, which flows into the Mississippi River and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico. The Fox River supports diverse aquatic life and is an important recreational resource for the region.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Fox River, which flows through northeastern Illinois before joining the Illinois River. The Illinois River is a major tributary of the Mississippi River, draining into the Gulf of Mexico. The Fox River watershed supports a variety of fish species and provides habitat for migratory birds. The river is also used for recreation, including fishing and boating, making water quality protection important for both ecological and human uses.
Frequently asked questions
FRWRD West STP is located on Saint Charles Street in Elgin, Illinois, within Kane County. It serves the western portion of Elgin and surrounding areas.
The plant serves approximately 22,517 people, classifying it as a medium-sized municipal wastewater treatment facility.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the Fox River, which flows into the Illinois River and eventually the Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico.
As a US facility, FRWRD West STP operates under the Clean Water Act, with its discharge regulated by an NPDES permit issued by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
Under the Clean Water Act, municipal plants of this scale typically require at least secondary treatment, which includes biological processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids.
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