Overview
Gun Lake Area STP serves Orangeville Township, Michigan, treating wastewater for approximately 7,700 residents. The plant discharges into the local watershed, ultimately draining to Lake Michigan via the Grand River system.
Gun Lake Area STP is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Orangeville Township, Barry County, Michigan. Serving a population of about 7,723, the plant is part of the region's infrastructure for managing domestic wastewater in a rural to suburban setting. As a US facility, the plant operates under the Clean Water Act and is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting, typically administered by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). For a plant of this scale, secondary treatment is the standard requirement, with additional nutrient controls possible due to the Great Lakes sensitivity. The plant's treated effluent enters the local drainage network, which flows into the Thornapple River, a tributary of the Grand River. The Grand River discharges into Lake Michigan at Grand Haven, making the plant's performance relevant to the health of the Great Lakes ecosystem, which supports diverse aquatic life and recreational uses.
Environmental context
The plant's discharge ultimately reaches Lake Michigan via the Thornapple River and Grand River system. Lake Michigan is a critical freshwater resource supporting fisheries, drinking water, and recreation. The watershed is ecologically sensitive, with concerns about nutrient loading contributing to algal blooms. Proper treatment helps protect downstream water quality and aquatic habitats.
Frequently asked questions
Gun Lake Area STP is located at 12609 Marsh Road, Orangeville, Michigan, in Barry County, serving the Orangeville Township area.
The plant serves approximately 7,723 residents, classifying it as a small to medium-sized municipal wastewater treatment facility.
The plant discharges treated effluent into the local watershed, which flows into the Thornapple River, a tributary of the Grand River, ultimately reaching Lake Michigan.
As a US facility, it operates under the Clean Water Act and is regulated via an NPDES permit issued by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), which sets effluent limits for pollutants.
For a plant of this size, secondary treatment is standard, often including biological processes like activated sludge. Additional nutrient removal may be required to protect the Great Lakes from eutrophication.
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