Overview
Gibbsville SD STP is a secondary treatment plant serving 469 people in Oostburg, Wisconsin. It discharges 128.70 units of treated wastewater and is located within 10 km of Lake Michigan.
Gibbsville SD STP (Sewage Treatment Plant) is a municipal wastewater facility located at 819 Ontario Avenue in Oostburg, Wisconsin, United States. The plant serves a small population of 469 residents and operates as part of the local infrastructure managed by the village or county. Its location in Sheboygan County places it within the Great Lakes basin, a region of significant ecological importance. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required under the U.S. Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater facilities. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. The plant has a designed capacity of 204.41 units and currently discharges 128.70 units, indicating it operates below its maximum capacity. As a U.S. facility, it operates under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, which sets effluent limits to protect water quality. The treated effluent from Gibbsville SD STP ultimately reaches Lake Michigan, one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world and a critical water resource. The plant's proximity to the coast (within 10 km) means its discharge can directly affect nearshore water quality. Lake Michigan supports diverse aquatic life, including fish species such as lake trout and whitefish, and provides drinking water for millions. The plant's secondary treatment helps reduce nutrient loading, which is important for preventing algal blooms in the lake.
Environmental context
Gibbsville SD STP discharges into the Lake Michigan watershed, with treated effluent flowing via local streams or direct outfall to the lake. Lake Michigan is part of the Great Lakes system, which drains to the Atlantic Ocean via the St. Lawrence River. The nearshore zone of Lake Michigan is ecologically sensitive, supporting spawning grounds for fish and habitat for migratory birds. Nutrient management is critical here to avoid eutrophication, which can lead to harmful algal blooms that impact recreation and drinking water quality.
Frequently asked questions
Gibbsville SD STP is located at 819 Ontario Avenue in Oostburg, Wisconsin, United States, in Sheboygan County.
The plant serves a population of 469 people in the Oostburg area.
The plant discharges treated effluent to the Lake Michigan watershed, likely via a local stream or direct outfall. As a secondary treatment plant, it uses biological processes to reduce pollutants before discharge.
As a U.S. facility, Gibbsville SD STP operates under the Clean Water Act, with an NPDES permit issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. This permit sets limits on effluent quality to protect Lake Michigan.
For small communities in the U.S., secondary treatment is standard under the Clean Water Act. This typically involves activated sludge or trickling filter processes to remove organic matter and suspended solids.
Nearby plants