Geauga Co Burton Lakes WWTP - Advanced Treatment Facility in Burton Lake, Ohio

Geauga Co Burton Lakes WWTP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Burton Lake, Geauga County, Ohio. The plant serves a small population of 416 residents and provides advanced treatment, reflecting a high level of contaminant removal. It is situated inland, more than 10 km from the coast, but within 50 km of Lake Erie. The plant has a designed capacity of 189.27 megaliters per year and treats an annual discharge volume of 105.99 megaliters. As a US facility, it operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. Advanced treatment typically includes nutrient removal, which is important for protecting downstream water quality. The treated effluent likely discharges into a local stream or river that flows into the Grand River or Chagrin River watershed, ultimately reaching Lake Erie. Lake Erie is a vital freshwater resource that supports drinking water, recreation, and diverse aquatic life. The plant's advanced treatment helps minimize nutrient loading, reducing the risk of harmful algal blooms in the lake.

The plant's discharge enters a tributary of the Grand River or Chagrin River, which flows northward into Lake Erie. Lake Erie is the shallowest of the Great Lakes and is particularly sensitive to nutrient pollution, which can cause eutrophication and harmful algal blooms. The advanced treatment at this plant helps protect the lake's ecological health and supports its role as a drinking water source for millions.